The finish was simple, the run was magical. At the age of 16 years and 73 days, the teenager had become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Since then, the dazzling youngster has had to remain patient for first-team opportunities but there is simply no need for Mikel Arteta to rush his development.

Arsenal won the title last term and reached the Champions League final. As a result, they can afford to be careful with him. That said, after a scintillating display at Portman Road on Tuesday, it might be time to let him off the leash.

How Max Dowman dazzled vs Ipswich

On two separate occasions this season, Dowman has not been in the matchday squad in the Premier League. Until Tuesday night, the youngster had not played for the first team at all this season.

For any normal 16-year-old, that is no surprise. Yet, Dowman is no ordinary 16-year-old, he's a generational talent and his performance against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup proved that.

He was the best player on the pitch, the best player on a field that included multi-million pound Premier League footballers. It says it all about his quality, about his temperament.

The Hale Ender scored twice in a 4-2 victory and took both of his goals beautifully. The first was a slice of wizardry. He skipped beyond Ipswich centre-back Cedric Kipre before sliding the ball past the goalkeeper on his weaker foot.

His second was another touch of class. He received a pass on the right-hand side of the penalty area and then coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

It was such a dynamic performance from the academy graduate. No player recorded more shots (3), no player attempted more dribbles (8) and only one player on the whole pitch, Ipswich's Anis Mehmeti with ten, won more than Dowman's eight duels. It was a classy display, such a complete performance.

But, what does that mean for his future?

What the future holds for Dowman at Arsenal

Across the Premier League right now, there is a 15-year-old who goes by the name of JJ Gabriel. The Manchester United wonderkid is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world right now. He's up there with Dowman, so they claim anyway.

Yet, he's kicked up a fuss. He's reportedly not trained the last couple of days and has told senior officials at Old Trafford that he wants to leave. It's an enormous amount of controversy for someone so young.

Dowman, on the other hand, has simply let his football do the talking and he's reaping the rewards. Sure, he could have played more senior football by now, he looks like Europe's best young talent since a certain Lamine Yamal came through.

Yet, Arsenal can afford to remain patient, they can afford to bed him in slowly. Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil put it perfectly after the game on Tuesday, saying: "Mikel Arteta has so many good players that you can manage Max Dowman however you want. You can give him as much time as he needs, you can drop him in when it fits. If the game got tough for him you've got Odegaard sat there ready to come on and help if he needs to. He's in a great spot."

That, so it would appear, is precisely what Arteta is doing. With Martin Odegaard in the form of his life, Dowman can afford to be eased in. There is no need to rush things and overplay him.

It's also about keeping him humble. As good as Dowman is, he is still developing, he's still growing into his body and the right balance of U21 football coupled with senior action is crucial. At the moment, Arteta has it spot on.

The tricky thing is working out exactly when he's ready for regular starts. It surely won't be long. After scoring twice against Ipswich, he became just the second 16-year-old to score two goals in a game for a Premier League side in all competitions. The other player? A certain Wayne Rooney.

The Hale End academy is a vibrant place to develop as a young footballer and it is not just Dowman who is making waves at senior level.

Marli Salmon made just his second start on Tuesday and looked like he'd been playing first-team football for years. Just 17 years of age, he notably completed all 65 of his passes against the Tractor Boys.

However, Dowman and Salmon are not the only two young players to get excited about. That's because the Gunners have a crop of exceptionally talented teenagers set to officially sign in 2027.

Two of them are Ecuadorian twins Holger and Edwin Quintero. Arsenal reached pre-contract agreements to sign the duo from Independiente del Valle last autumn. They will join next summer once they turn 18.

Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili will also sign in 2027. Just last week, the Gunners formally concluded a deal to sign the 17-year-old from Kolkheti 1913 in his homeland.

Given his age, this move has not created too much fanfare but there is a considerable amount of hype attached to the young forward's name.

Why? Well, he's already being compared to two of the finest players European football has seen in modern times.

Bartishvili's nationality has naturally already drawn comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The way he manipulates the ball and gets out of tight situations is certainly alike. He's such an effervescent character, a young kid capable of playing on the left flank or through the middle as an attacking midfielder.

It is centrally where the teenager looks more at home. That's according to Georgian football expert Saba Sapanadze who spoke to Football.London regarding his best qualities.

Sapanadze said: "Stylistically, Khvicha and Andria are very different players. Khvicha is a pure winger, much quicker, with long, powerful strides. Andria operates more centrally, behind the striker, and one of his biggest strengths is his ability to break through midfield from central areas. In terms of style, I’d compare him more to Kevin De Bruyne."

Like Dowman, he boasts exceptional close control. Bartishvili has got a turn of pace that allows him to burst away from a player and the way he dribbles is simply outstanding. In full flow, he looks a bit like Arsenal's finest academy graduate.

Currently on loan at Iberia 1999, he is playing first-team football in the Georgian top-flight, scoring two goals and assisting another two in just 893 minutes of action. With Conference League action also on the way, it'll be exciting to see how the teen develops before officially becoming an Arsenal player next year.