The Kids Are Alright

Nwaneri & Saka Fire the Kids Through as Arsenal Hit 250 in the Cup

So, it turns out Arsenal can still take the Carabao Cup seriously—provided you sprinkle in a few teenagers, a Spanish goalkeeper looking to redeem his Chelsea past, and the small matter of Bukayo Saka turning up for a cameo that felt more like a mic drop than a substitution.

History Before Kick-Off

Before a ball was even kicked, Arsenal's Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton made the record books. Max Dowman, a 15-year-old with barely enough GCSEs to fill a team sheet, became the youngest player ever to start for the club—15 years and 302 days old, to be exact. His partner in precociousness, Andre Harriman-Annous, also made his debut, becoming Arsenal's 924th player.

For Mikel Arteta, it was ten changes from the Palace win—because of course it was—and yet, somehow, this patched-up side still played like they'd been studying Guardiola tutorials in the canteen.

Kepa's Redemption Arc (Maybe)

Kepa Arrizabalaga, on home debut, started like a man auditioning for forgiveness. He denied Carlos Baleba and Georginio Rutter early on before making himself big enough to send Stefanos Tzimas's effort into orbit. If he'd done this at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans might still be on speaking terms with him.

Dowman's Dribbling & Ethan's Arrival

Dowman, bless him, looked like he'd been raised on a steady diet of YouTube compilations and fearless self-belief. He spent the first half tormenting Maxim De Cuyper, cutting inside like a winger who hasn't yet been told about the concept of defending.

Eventually, it was another wonderkid—Ethan Nwaneri—who broke the deadlock. A silky backheel from Mikel Merino (yes, that Mikel Merino) released Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose cut-back found Nwaneri arriving like clockwork. One touch, one finish, one goal—Steele beaten, Brighton silenced, and Arsenal's youth pipeline once again looking like Fort Knox for talent.

Saka Off the Bench: Business as Usual

When Saka replaced Dowman, it was like swapping a promising indie band for a global headliner. Within minutes, he'd curled in corners, terrified defenders, and generally reminded everyone that he's still the main act.

The clincher came after a lung-busting run from Jurrien Timber, who found Harriman-Annous on the verge of a dream debut goal. Steele denied him, but the rebound fell to Saka, who promptly doubled the lead and Brighton's misery.

250 Not Out

The 2–0 win marked Arsenal's 250th match in the League Cup—an achievement roughly equivalent to surviving 250 nights of the Carabao draw show without smashing your TV. The clean sheet was our sixth in a row, which will no doubt please Arteta's inner control freak, while setting up a quarter-final date with Crystal Palace. Again. Because the fixture computer clearly has a sense of humour.

Next Up

The Gunners head to Turf Moor next, which promises all the glamour and grace of a mud wrestling contest, before a midweek trip to Prague for Champions League duty. Expect rotations, rotations, and maybe another teenage debutant just for fun.

Verdict:

Arsenal's kids are not just alright—they're quietly terrifying. Dowman looks the part, Nwaneri's star continues to rise, and Saka remains the patron saint of consistency. Somewhere, Pep Guardiola's probably wondering if Arsenal's academy has an age limit—or just a cloning machine.