{"id":262883,"date":"2026-09-16T08:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/bbc-pundit-slams-mikel-arteta-decision-in-arsenal-win-at-ipswich\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T08:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:10:11","slug":"bbc-pundit-slams-mikel-arteta-decision-in-arsenal-win-at-ipswich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/bbc-pundit-slams-mikel-arteta-decision-in-arsenal-win-at-ipswich\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC pundit slams Mikel Arteta decision in Arsenal win at Ipswich"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal<\/a> booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a lively 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta<\/a> made sweeping changes to his side, but there was still plenty of quality in the team and the Gunners took control almost immediately.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Matthew Childs<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Max Dowman was the star of the night.<\/p>\n

The 16-year-old opened the scoring after seven minutes, collecting Eberechi Eze\u2019s pass before showing the calmness of a far more experienced player to finish.<\/p>\n

Noni Madueke doubled Arsenal\u2019s advantage nine minutes later.<\/p>\n

Mikel Merino helped create the opening and Madueke made Ipswich pay as the visitors turned their early pressure into a commanding lead.<\/p>\n

The home side did improve as the first half went on.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Ipswich Town 2-4 Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Match stat<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Ipswich Town<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Possession<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

41%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

59%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Total shots<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shots on target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Expected goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.72<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.95<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Corners<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Accurate passes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

340<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

521<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

85%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

89%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Duels won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

53<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Saves<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Fouls committed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Jaden Philogene offered a threat down Arsenal\u2019s right and Ipswich found more space when they attacked at speed, but Gabriel Magalh\u00e3es repeatedly stepped in to stop promising moves.<\/p>\n

Any hope of a comeback was crushed shortly after the restart.<\/p>\n

Mart\u00edn Zubimendi moved into the box and found Dowman, who calmly added his second of the evening in the 47th minute.<\/p>\n

Dowman then played his part in Arsenal\u2019s fourth. His pass reached Merino on the edge of the area and the Spaniard curled a fine left-footed finish beyond Christian Walton.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Merino-Arsenal\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Ipswich refused to fold, and substitute Jack Clarke made an instant impact by setting up Anis Mehmeti, who pulled one back in the 62nd minute.<\/p>\n

Former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom scored again in stoppage time, but it arrived far too late to trouble Arteta\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

The final score made the contest look slightly closer than it had been, with Arsenal doing the important work during a ruthless opening hour.<\/p>\n

Dowman\u2019s display provided the main talking point, although one of Arteta\u2019s later substitutions also attracted attention.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Mikel Arteta questioned over Martin \u00d8degaard decision after Arsenal beat Ipswich 4-2<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n
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\n
\"Odegaard-Arsenal\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Tony O Brien<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Martin \u00d8degaard replaced Madueke in the 76th minute, when Arsenal were leading 4-1 and appeared to have the tie safely under control.<\/p>\n

Speaking on BBC Radio Suffolk<\/a>, Joe Sheehan questioned whether the Arsenal captain needed to be sent on with the result already beyond serious doubt.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI just wonder why players like Martin Odegaard get game time in games like this when come May that is a player who may accumulate 65 odd games,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cYou wonder at 4-1 if this is a game he needs to be involved in.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

It was only a short appearance, and Arteta may have wanted \u00d8degaard to maintain his rhythm ahead of tougher assignments.<\/p>\n

However, Sheehan\u2019s concern was understandable.<\/p>\n

Arsenal are fighting on several fronts and their captain remains one of the most important figures in the squad.<\/p>\n

Even limited minutes can add up across a demanding campaign, while every unnecessary outing carries some level of injury risk.<\/p>\n

Arteta will be delighted with the result, Dowman\u2019s two goals and the opportunity to use several younger players.<\/p>\n

Yet the decision to involve \u00d8degaard in a match Arsenal already controlled has left him facing a fair question about how carefully his captain\u2019s workload is being managed.<\/p>\n