Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a composed 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, as Mikel Arteta’s much-changed side grew into the contest after a slow start at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard made 10 changes from the weekend win over Crystal Palace, handing starts to several academy prospects including 15-year-old Max Dowman, who became the youngest player in the club’s history to start a senior match.
Seventeen-year-old striker Andre Harriman-Annous also made his debut, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly joined the youthful lineup.
Brighton began the sharper of the two teams and could have taken the lead when Georginio Rutter forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into an early save.
Stefanos Tzimas then missed a good opportunity after a quick counter, before Jan Paul van Hecke headed wide from a corner as Fabian Hurzeler’s side controlled the early stages.
Arsenal took time to settle but gradually found rhythm through the energy of their academy players.
Dowman impressed on the right flank with confident dribbles and composure beyond his years, drawing applause from the home crowd. His direct play repeatedly unsettled Brighton’s defence and gave the Gunners an outlet as the first half wore on.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute through a slick move involving three Hale End graduates. Mikel Merino’s clever backheel released Lewis-Skelly, who drove into the box before teeing up Nwaneri to guide a precise finish into the far corner.
The goal lifted the atmosphere and eased the tension as Arsenal took control.
Arteta introduced Bukayo Saka for the final stages, and the England international immediately made his presence felt.Harriman-Annous saw his effort saved, but Saka reacted quickest to slot in the rebound and double the lead, sealing Arsenal’s place in the last eight.
Brighton attempted to respond, introducing former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, yet they struggled to test Arrizabalaga again as Arsenal maintained defensive discipline.
The win extended the Gunners’ unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions and marked their sixth consecutive clean sheet.
For Arteta, the evening underlined the depth of talent emerging from Hale End. Dowman’s composed display on his first senior start caught the eye, while Nwaneri’s assured finish reinforced his growing reputation.
With the senior team top of the Premier League, Arsenal’s younger generation offered another reason for optimism as they continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
