Arsenal defeat Ipswich Town 4-2 to reach Carabao Cup fourth round

Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday evening.

The visitors established control early in the third-round tie, with Max Dowman opening the scoring in the seventh minute. The promising youngster beat Cedric Kipre before going through one-on-one with Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, calmly finishing from inside the penalty area.

Arsenal doubled their advantage nine minutes later after Ipswich struggled to build from the back. Mikel Merino capitalised on the defensive uncertainty and played a precise pass through to Noni Madueke, who struck a powerful effort past Walton from inside the box.

Dowman added his second goal shortly after the restart to put Arsenal 3-0 ahead in the 47th minute. He collected an accurate through ball in the penalty area before sending a low shot beyond Walton.

Merino then completed an impressive individual display by scoring Arsenal’s fourth in the 58th minute. His curling effort from just outside the area struck the post before finding the net.

Ipswich responded four minutes later when Jack Clarke made progress down the left flank and delivered a low cross into the area. Anis Mehmeti met it first time and converted to reduce the deficit.

The home side scored again in the first minute of added time, with Chuba Akpom finding the net from inside the penalty area after his shot deceived Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa.

The result secured Arsenal’s place in the next round, with their opponent to be determined in the draw scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Arsenal are aiming to end a long wait for another League Cup triumph. The club have won the competition twice, with their most recent success coming in the 1992-93 season.

They reached last season’s final but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City. Liverpool remain the competition’s most successful club, having lifted the trophy 10 times.