Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored second-half goals as a youthful Arsenal side defeated Brighton to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Manager Mikel Arteta made ten changes from Sunday’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace, handing starts to 15-year-old Max Dowman — the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal — and 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous.
It was two other Hale End graduates who combined to break the deadlock in the 57th minute. Mikel Merino set Myles Lewis-Skelly free in the box with a clever backheel, and the young defender cut the ball back for Nwaneri to curl a precise finish into the far corner.
Substitute Saka sealed the win late on, reacting quickest to a rebound after Harriman-Annous’ shot was saved, slotting into an empty net to make it 2-0.
Brighton had earlier missed two clear chances to take the lead — Georginio Rutter was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Stefanos Tzimas fired wide after a swift counter-attack.
The victory extends Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 11 matches and their streak of six consecutive clean sheets, setting up a quarter-final home tie against Crystal Palace.
