Mikel Arteta has addressed his reaction to Max Dowman’s dismissal as the 16-year-old headed down the tunnel following Arsenal’s shocking Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town.
Just moments before the Gunners were eliminated on penalties by the League Two outfit, Dowman was shown a red card for violent conduct following an alleged altercation with Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal. The incident escalated from a couple of 50-50 challenges into a full-blown scuffle.
As the young midfielder made his way off the pitch, Arteta was seen leaning in and speaking to him, a moment that has drawn significant criticism. Former Arsenal player Paul Merson argued that the manager should have offered support rather than reprimanding the teenager.
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Highlights of the Carabao Cup fourth round match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal
When questioned about his exchange with Dowman, Arteta told reporters: “It was something that we discussed before the game.” The Arsenal manager declined to elaborate further when pressed on the specifics of the conversation.
During Sky Sports co-commentary, Andy Hinchcliffe suggested the red card was overly harsh, but Arteta stood by the officials, stating: “I haven’t seen it with the camera. You can’t really see what happens. The decision was made by the referee and that’s it.”
“And even with 10 men, we have three big chances to score the second goal.”
When asked if the incident serves as a learning moment for Dowman, Arteta emphasized the preparation done prior to the match: “We knew when we prepared the context of the match, we were very clear on the things to expect, the things that emotionally we have to dominate.”
Merson questions Arteta reaction
Reacting to the incident, Merson expressed strong disagreement with the manager’s approach, questioning why Arteta would react that way to a 16-year-old kid but not to an experienced international like Viktor Gyökeres.
“He’s not the last person to get sent off for Arsenal, nor the first. If it was me, I’d have put my arm around him. It’s still 1-1, they’re still in the game.
“We all say things in life we wish we hadn’t and if he [Arteta] could have that back, he’d do it differently.”
Dowman was sent off for allegedly lashing out amid a mass scuffle
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff echoed the criticism, stating he could not understand Arteta’s reaction, which he felt was aimed at what appeared to be petulant and naive behavior from the teenager.
“It is frustration from Dowman, but when you see the reaction from Arteta… we have to remember he’s 16.
“Yes, he’s a fantastic talent, but he will make mistakes along the way. I didn’t like the reaction at all.”
McAnuff further added: “Dowman is potentially the future of Arsenal. Arteta didn’t get that quite right.”
Arteta has no complaints about Arsenal effort in defeat
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Arteta shares his thoughts following their shock Carabao Cup loss on penalties to League Two side Fleetwood
Speaking post-match, Arteta extended his congratulations to Fleetwood for their shock victory, yet maintained that his Arsenal squad did not display a lack of fight during the clash.
Instead, the manager expressed frustration over his team’s lack of clinical finishing, noting they missed 19 shots on target, with Kai Havertz bearing the brunt of the blame for squandering three or four clear opportunities.
“First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for going through to the next round in the manner they’ve done it,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“A really sad day for us. I cannot fault at all the attitude of the players, I haven’t seen anybody not doing what is required at this level but we had so much of the ball, had so many chances, so many shots and if you want the margins to be bigger than going to penalties, you have to capitalise on that. We didn’t and football is about that.”
“It wasn’t to do with attitude otherwise I would be here fuming. I’m sad, we’re all sad.”
“We have a responsibility to represent this badge in the best possible way. It was nothing to do with effort, application or determination to go and win it, but we lacked other things to create much bigger margins.”
“With what we produced, it should have showed in the scoreline.”
