Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has rubbished suggestions he was too harsh on Max Dowman following his red card at Fleetwood on Tuesday night.
Dowman, 16, was sent off for a kick out at Harrison Neal following a bruising tackle in the 85th minute of the EFL Cup tie. Fleetwood went on to complete a huge shock by winning the penalty shoot-out.
Arteta directed some angry words at Dowman when he walked off the field at Highbury Stadium and has been criticised for not taking a softer approach with the youngster.
However, he doubled down on his actions today, suggesting Dowman needs to learn quickly to avoid a repeat.
“We are not in Disneyland, we’re in the Premier League,” said Arteta, whose second-placed side visit Liverpool on Sunday.
“If you see the reaction from my mother and father with me sometimes, you’d say ‘you don’t like that reaction’ but for me it was the best reaction ever as it enabled me to be who I am.
“What do you expect? That’s the level and that’s the reaction. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s the reaction. And the reaction when I don’t win, I’m p***** off, big time. This is the environment and the reality.”
Arteta spoke with Arsenal starlet Dowman yesterday
He added: “My reaction comes in a moment of heat and extreme frustration because I know the consequences of that, especially for Max. We discussed it just before we went out and it will continue to happen unfortunately because of how he attracts opponents.
“He’s 16 and we have to be very protective of him but also very straight with what we expect from him towards the team, individual and the club.
“I had a talk with him yesterday. There are no issues at all. I’ve done it. That’s why I’m so protective of these things and young players as we have all made these mistakes.
“We know how much you can get punished. And what happens next. It’s not the first time, it happened earlier this month with England, so we need to put an end to it very quickly.”
Dowman appeal rejected with Arsenal ‘very disappointed’
Arsenal appealed the red card but that has been rejected, meaning the winger will miss the next three games.
Arteta added: “Very disappointed to be fair, especially with the reckless tackles he received. His reaction is minimum in relation to the action. I’m disappointed that it has not been overturned.”
“It is what it is. We have put every argument on the table to make a case for it. The action is so evident. Obviously we have a very different opinion and on top of that I think you have to read the context of the player, the age and what happened previously.
“It could have been really bad. We are lucky today that he hasn’t had a broken foot, that is clear.”
Dowman would have been in the Arsenal squad for the trip to Anfield with Bukayo Saka injured and Noni Madueke a doubt.
Arteta said Madueke was not yet ruled out and also confirmed Declan Rice, Christos Tzolis and Riccardo Calafiori would be involved if they come through Saturday’s training session unscathed.
You Should Also Read
