Overview

• The midfielder entered around the hour at Vale Park, replacing Bukayo Saka to make his first League Cup appearance.
• The cameo set a club mark for the competition and followed his Premier League debut earlier this season.
• Mikel Arteta praised Dowman’s temperament, saying he “just gets up” when kicked in training and remains emotionally cool.
• Arsenal rotated extensively, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making his debut, Myles Lewis-Skelly starting, Christian Norgaard handed a full debut, and Piero Hincapie unavailable with a groin injury.
• Former striker Alan Smith said he was surprised by how much game time Arteta has given Dowman, noting a faster track than Ethan Nwaneri’s route.