Arsenal’s youthful spark continued to light up their season as Mikel Arteta’s side swept aside Brighton 2-0 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. On a night when Liverpool’s poor run extended with a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s academy stars stole the spotlight and reminded everyone why Hale End remains one of England’s most productive football nurseries.
At the Emirates Stadium, the story belonged to the kids. Fifteen-year-old Max Dowman made history by becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and homegrown hero Bukayo Saka struck the goals that sealed the win. Nwaneri broke the deadlock midway through the first half after being played through by Myles Lewis-Skelly, finishing calmly past Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen. Saka came off the bench to double the lead late on, ensuring Arsenal’s eighth consecutive victory in all competitions.
“It was a very special evening for everyone at the club,” said Arteta after the match. “These players represent the future of Arsenal, and the way they handled the occasion was just incredible.”
Arsenal’s mix of youthful energy and tactical discipline proved too much for Brighton, who struggled to create clear chances despite fielding several regular starters. The Gunners’ progress keeps alive their hopes of ending the season with silverware, adding more momentum to an already promising campaign.
Elsewhere, at Anfield, Liverpool’s slump deepened with a stunning 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Ismaila Sarr scored twice and Yeremy Pino added a late third to complete a humiliating evening for the Reds, who have now lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Sarr opened the scoring after a defensive lapse from Joe Gomez, then pounced again just before halftime to double the lead. Pino’s composed finish in the closing stages put the result beyond doubt.
Liverpool created several chances through Federico Chiesa and Darwin Núñez but failed to make them count. Their woes worsened when youngster Amara Nello was sent off for a last-man foul on Justin Deveney.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised his team’s “clinical and fearless” display, while Jürgen Klopp admitted his side were “far from their best.”
With Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace among those advancing, this season’s Carabao Cup promises an explosive quarter-final lineup.
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