Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterArsenal wonderkid Max Dowman received a red card against Fleetwood Town and an apparent earful from manager Mikel Arteta.The 16-year-old was sent off after retaliating to a hefty challenge towards the end of the Carabao Cup tie, in what was widely condemned by pundits and on social media as a very harsh decision from referee Michael Salisbury.In leaving the pitch, Dowman was approached by Arteta, who appeared to say something to the Arsenal youngster as he trudged down the tunnel.Arsenal defeat clouded by Mikel Arteta reaction to Max DowmanSpeaking after the game, Arteta told his post-match press conference that he hadn't had a chance to rewatch the incident but refused to blame the officiating for his side's exit from the Fourth Round of the competition.I havent seen it back, and with the camera you cant really see what happens, the Basque boss said. You may like Triple Arsenal injury update issued after Carabao Cup upset against Fleetwood Town "In football terms, he is a freak, and I mean that in the utmost respect if he was in a book, you'd throw the book in the sea" Paul Merson on the Arsenal player stranger than fiction Arsenal are showing Manchester United how they should have managed nightmare transfer scenario The decision was made by the referee, and thats it. Even with 10 men, we had three big chances to score.When asked what he said to the teenager, Arteta replied, Its something that we discussed before the game, but refused to go into further detail though did say just before that were very clear on what to expect from Fleetwood and emotionally, we have to dominate.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Were not going to discuss that here and now, he said, when asked about prior conversations with Dowman about being fouled regularly.This is the second dismissal that the winger has had this month, after getting sent off for England's under-19s recently following a reckless challenge after being targeted.This didnt look good to me at all, former Gunner and pundit Paul Merson said on Sky Sports following the incident at Highbury.If thats [Viktor] Gyokeres, whos an experienced international, [Arteta] isnt doing that but he does that to a 16-year-old kid?The red card leaves Dowman with a likely one-game ban for the weekend's trip to Anfield, leaving Arsenal with a selection crisis at right-wing.Bukayo Saka is facing a two-month layoff after a muscle injury picked up against Bayern Munich, with Noni Madueke left out of last night's cup trip after a knock himself.TOPICSArsenalMark WhiteSocial Links NavigationContent EditorMark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge both past and present Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
