Arteta explains what he told Dowman after red card in Fleetwood shock
Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on what he said to Max Dowman as the 16 year old trudged down the tunnel after being sent off in Arsenal's stunning Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town.
Dowman was shown a red card for violent conduct, appearing to kick out at Harrison Neal following a strong challenge from the Fleetwood defender. As he walked past the Arsenal dugout, Arteta leaned in and said something to the teenager, a moment that drew sharp criticism from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who felt the manager should have shown more sympathy.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Asked directly what he said to Dowman, Arteta told reporters: “It was something that we discussed before the game.” The Arsenal boss declined to elaborate further when pressed on the specifics.
Speaking on Sky Sports co-commentary, Andy Hinchcliffe suggested the red card was harsh on the 16 year old. Arteta responded: “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 whether Dowman has something to learn from the incident, Arteta added: “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's criticism
Merson was unimpressed by Arteta's touchline reaction, drawing a comparison to how the manager might have handled a more experienced player in the same situation. “If that's Gyokeres, who's an experienced international, he isn't doing that, but he does that to a 16 year old kid?” Merson said. “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 could have that back, he'd do it differently.”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff offered a similar assessment, while acknowledging Arteta's likely frustration. “I can't understand the reaction. Arteta probably feels it was petulant, naive which I think it is. 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 said, adding: “Dowman is potentially the future of Arsenal. Arteta didn't get that quite right.”
No complaints over effort
Arsenal exited the competition on penalties against the League Two side despite registering 19 shots, with Kai Havertz missing several clear opportunities. Arteta was adamant the defeat was not down to a lack of effort.
“I cannot fault at all the attitude of the players,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “A really sad day for us. We had so much of the ball, 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.”
Dowman's progress will continue to be watched closely as he develops under Arteta, with this incident likely to serve as part of his learning curve at such a young age.
