Dowman reminds Merino of Yamal after Ipswich double

Max Dowman scored twice on his first appearance of the season as Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2.

The 4-2 win at Portman Road on 15 September sent Arsenal through to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, England's midweek knockout cup, in a third-round tie ESPN. Dowman, a 16-year-old attacker and England youth international, did the damage with two goals.

Then came the comparison. Mikel Merino said Dowman reminds him of Lamine Yamal The Guardian.

Merino knows Yamal well. He plays alongside the Barcelona winger for Spain. His verdict was simple. They are very similar.

He did not stop there. Merino called Dowman an unbelievable talent and a big talent. Short words. Big weight.

Merino had his own say on the pitch too. He scored Arsenal's fourth goal to seal the win against Ipswich BBC Sport. It capped a lively night for the visitors, who scored four times away from home but still conceded twice.

There was praise for another teenager as well. Merino picked out 17-year-old Marli Salmon after his performance against Ipswich. Arsenal's young players were given a chance in the cup. They took it.

What makes this stand out is the source of the praise. Merino sees Yamal up close on international duty. He sees the quick feet, the calm in tight spaces, the courage to take the ball at any age. To hear Dowman's name in that company, at 16, tells you how highly he is rated inside the club.

For fans, this means a name to remember. Dowman is still at the very start. One cup night does not make a career. But two goals, a win, and that kind of word from a senior Spain international is quite a way to begin a season.