Youngest Premier League players to score in League Cup
Arsenal’s young star Dowman equals Rooney’s record against Ipswich Town on Tuesday following a match-winning performance at Portman Road to lead the team to a 4-2 win.
He scored a brace and recorded an assist to further establish his importance to the team at a tender age of 16.
FirstDailySports takes a look at the three youngest players to have scored in recent history of the League Cup while playing for Premier League teams.
1. 16y 212d – Cesc Fàbregas (vs Wolves, 2003)
Fabregas is currently leading the prestigious list, he scored for Arsenal in a 5-1 win over Wolves in the League Cup fourh round to become the club’s youngest goalscorer in their history.
Fabregas went on to make 304 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, contributing 57 goals and 95 assists.
2. 16y 258d – Max Dowman (vs Ipswich, 2026):
The rave of the moment burst onto the scene last season with an impressive goal against Everton in the Premier League and he has not looked back since then.
He further reminded Arsenal fans his quality with another stunning performance against Ipswich Town on Tuesday to take his tally to two goals in one start this season.
Dowman became only the second player aged 16 to score twice in a single match across all competitions for a Premier League club, matching Wayne Rooney’s famous feat for Everton against Wrexham, also in the League Cup, back in October 2002.
3. 16y 266d – Jack Wilshere (vs Sheffield United, 2008):
The third player on the list is another former Arsenal young star, Jack Wilshere, who scored in a 6-0 win over Sheffield United in the League Cup in 2008.
He went on to make 197 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, scoring 14 goals and recording 30 assists.
Read Also: How I risked everything for Elche victory –Mourinho
More About Max Dowman
Dowman was born on December 31st, 2009 in Chelmsford, England. He plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger.
He has represented England at the U-16, U-17 and the U-19 categories. He became the youngest-ever goalscorer for the under-19’s on 15 November 2025.
Dowman also became the youngest player to win the Premier League at 16 years and 139 days old after Arsenal won the 2025–26 season.
Dowman Trophies
Premier League: 2025–26
FA Community Shield: 2026
EFL Cup runner-up: 2025–26
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2025–26
Meanwhile, manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Dowman following his match-winning performance against Ipswich Town.
He said: “He was unbelievable again; some of the actions and connections that he can give us on the pitch are just a joy to watch. He was really efficient; he’s getting more and more active in action; he can sustain for longer periods, and we know the talent that we have.”
However, for Arsenal fans desperate to see more of him. Arteta has warned it’s not so easy to play him regularly.
He concluded: “Everything is possible. The probability [of playing regularly] is probably extremely low because you don’t see the players with the capacity to handle just the physicality of the game.
“Not only that, but the demands that you have to put your body through in the week to be able to be in good condition to compete, the amount of information, the challenges that you have to face. But he’s doing it and he’s doing it really well every time there’s a chance.”
Dowman will be hoping to get another opportunity to impress when Arsenal face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday at the Amex Stadium.
