Arsenal 2-0 Brighton: Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka score as Max Dowman becomes youngest starter in history | Football News
Arsenal hosted a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace on a proud night for their academy as goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton.
Nwaneri headed home courtesy of a pass from fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly on a night when Max Dowman became the youngest starter in Arsenal’s history at the age of 15 and 302 days.
Mikel Arteta also handed a first start to 17-year-old striker Andre Harriman-Annous, who contributed the second goal when his one-on-one was saved by Brighton’s Jason Steele and fell to academy talisman Saka to secure the result.
The win makes it eight straight wins and six straight clean sheets for Arsenal, but it could have been a different story if the visitors had taken their chances in the first half.
Georginio Rutter was denied by Kepa, one of Arsenal’s 10 changes on the night, and Stefanos Tzimas fired home another big chance, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Charalampos Kostoulas also missing glaring opportunities from close range.
Brighton finished the match with 18 shots, the most against Arsenal since Manchester United on the opening day of the campaign, but it was the hosts who produced the advantage.
Nwaneri’s goal was well worked as Merino released Lewis-Skelly with a smart backheel, and Saka’s emphatic finish, after a superb run from Jurrien Timber, put the result beyond doubt after his introduction for the impressive Dowman, who excelled even in a difficult first half for the home side.
Palace now wait in the last eight as the Gunners seek a first piece of silverware under Arteta since their FA Cup victory in 2020.
WATCH: Saka and Nwaneri’s goals
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Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal the lead against Brighton
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Bukayo Saka added a second goal for Arsenal
Analysis: Dowman and Harriman-Annous enjoy an evening to savor
Dowman and Harriman-Annous could be seen walking arm in arm across the pitch after the final whistle, two teammates and academy friends drinking it all in on a night out to celebrate everyone associated with the club’s Hale End academy.
Dowman provided further proof of his immense talent by becoming the youngest starter in the club’s history. He was arguably their best player before his retirement. His total of nine dribble attempts was the most of any Arsenal player in any match this season.
It was his fourth appearance of the season after appearances from the bench against Leeds, Liverpool and Port Vale, but for Harriman-Annous it was all new. It was only the second time he had featured in a team for a game, let alone a starting lineup.
He was isolated at times in the first half, but there were glimpses of his potential in some of his link-up play and his role in the second goal gave him a moment to savor, even if it won’t be counted as an assist. He raised his fists to the fans behind the goal in celebration.
They were of course not the only ones from Hale End to make their mark on the match, with Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly combining for the first goal, Saka scoring the second and Eberechi Eze, another former academy player, also starting.
But they are the ones who will remember it best. A memorable evening for them and another reminder of the bright future Arsenal are shaping at youth level.
Arteta rejoices on ‘special’ evening
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said at his press conference: “A very special evening, very happy for various reasons.
“Obviously we are in the quarter-finals and we won the match against a very tough opponent. We made 10 changes, we played players who had never played together, but we had two great debuts for Max and André.
“This feeling of giving someone an opportunity and making a dream come true is unique, and I am very happy that things turned out very positive and we managed to win the match.”
Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after opening the score
On how Dowman reacted when he was told he was starting: “A little smile, that’s what you get with him. For him everything is natural, for him everything is fine, it’s the way he plays.
“I think that’s the secret, that he doesn’t make a big deal out of it, he just does what he does best, which is play football, play football with a lot of courage and determination.
“Even today he showed incredible talent, a certain ability to overtake players of this level in the Premier League at 15. It’s something really special.”
On Harriman-Annous: “Since pre-season, when he was with us, I’ve been very impressed with him. First of all, his mentality, how much he wants it, that’s the first ingredient. He’s desperate to achieve his dream.
“I think he’s been very consistent, training with us and constantly giving us the chance to pick him. Today I think it was the right day for him, for the context, for the way he plays as well and he certainly proved he has a chance.”
Hurzeler regrets missed opportunities at Brighton
Brighton chief Fabien Hurzeler said during his press conference: “If we take all the chances, we will be in the next round.
“It’s about scoring and defending goals. We weren’t able to score and defend in the most important actions.
“It was Arsenal’s first shot on goal and we didn’t defend it well. If you don’t score goals and keep a clean sheet, you can’t win.
“Every goal gives confidence, but I don’t think that’s why we lost. We had some good chances in the second half.
“We tried hard, we would like to score and that gives the team confidence. We failed to do that and give the players the right support to do better next time.”