Arsenal’s successful run goes on as Nwaneri and Saka boot Brighton from Carabao Cup | Carabao Cup

The instant future seems to be very vivid for Arsenal and so does the extra distant. On the evening that Max Dowman turned the membership's youngest participant to begin a match, on the age of simply 15 years and 302 days, it was two different graduates of the Hale Finish academy who scored the decisive objectives to ship Mikel Arteta's aspect into the final eight.

Ethan Nwaneri, who has one document that Arsenal's newest protege can by no means beat, because the youngest participant in Premier League historical past, discovered the web once more on a uncommon begin to settle an inexperienced Arsenal aspect's nerves earlier than Bukayo Saka rounded off the victory over Brighton after approaching to switch Dowman.

On the spectacular proof of the 70 minutes he was granted right here by Arteta, the ahead – who will flip 16 on New 12 months's Eve – may have a lot extra alternatives to impress on the correct flank over time to return.

“It was a really particular night,” stated a delighted Arteta. “For him all the pieces is pure, it's the best way he performs. I feel that's the key, that he doesn't make a giant fuss of it, he simply does what he does greatest, which is to play soccer.”

This was an eighth win in succession for Arsenal in all competitions and one more clear sheet regardless of making 10 modifications that additionally included handing a senior debut to 17-year-old striker Andre Harriman-Annous. Having already established a four-point lead on the high of the Premier League, Arteta will hope that the well timed injection of youth can present extra impetus in a season after they look destined to lastly finish their lengthy seek for silverware.

“We're combating some positions already and it's October, so we're going to want them,” added Arteta. “It was an ideal take a look at for them and I take numerous studying from it.”

For a while it has been a matter of when and never if Dowman could be handed his first begin having first skilled with Arsenal's senior squad when he turned 14, with the likelihood he may nonetheless change into the youngest participant in Champions League historical past ought to he make an look earlier than the tip of January. However the absence of Gabriel Martinelli meant Arteta was wanting attacking choices and eager to rotate his squad earlier than three testing away journeys subsequent week, as solely Eberechi Eze retained his place from the win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

If there have been any doubts about whether or not Dowman was prepared for this stage then they have been dispelled within the tenth minute when an excellent piece of management received the house followers out of their seats. One other teenager, Charalampos Kostoulas, ought to have made Arsenal pay from the ensuing nook when Brighton raced downfield however he may solely shoot extensive. Georginio Rutter had additionally pressured Kepa Arrizabalaga into an early save by then because the guests began confidently.

It was comprehensible with so many modifications that Arsenal lacked rhythm in assault, though their largest menace got here at any time when Dowman received the ball on the correct flank. With a mop of hair that he's continuously brushing away from his eyes, he's deceptively fast off the mark and left Belgium worldwide defender Maxim De Cuyper for useless on multiple event. Fabian Hürzeler was left cursing his luck when by some means Jan Paul van Hecke headed extensive from a nook 5 minutes earlier than half-time. “We weren't on our highest degree in both field and Arsenal made us pay,” stated the Brighton supervisor.

Dowman thought he ought to have had a penalty at first of the second half when a mesmerising run was ended by Olivier Boscagli. The referee, Sam Barrott, waved away the appeals from the house crowd. A beautiful transfer that was triggered by Mikel Merino's intelligent backheel finally created the breakthrough, with Nwaneri discovering the nook brilliantly after being arrange by one more academy graduate, Myles Lewis-Skelly. Eze noticed one other effort deflect simply over as Arsenal began to search out areas in Brighton's defence, with Hürzeler responding by introducing three attacking substitutes that surprisingly didn't embody high scorer Danny Welbeck.

Merino's effort from a nook was cleared off the road earlier than Dowman was given a standing ovation when he made method for Saka. The England ahead didn't waste any time making his mark when he fired within the rebound after Harriman-Anous's shot was saved to take care of Arsenal's successful run and ship an ominous warning to their rivals.