Mikel Arteta has explained his reaction to Max Dowman as the 16-year-old came down the tunnel in Arsenal’s shock Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.
Dowman was shown a red card for violent conduct for swearing at Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal moments before Arsenal crashed out of the competition on penalties to the League’s second-ranked players. The pair sparred for several 50-50 seconds before the argument began.
Dowman then came down the tunnel and leaned towards Arteta as he walked by and said something to him. This treatment of the youngster was criticized by Paul Merson, who felt the Arsenal manager should have given him a goal.
Asked what he said to Dowman, Arteta told reporters: “It was something we discussed before the game.” Arteta declined to elaborate when pressed.
Active Sky Sports Commentator Andy Hinchcliffe said the red card was harsh on Dowman and Arteta replied: “I didn’t see it on camera. You can’t really see what happened. The decision was made by the referee and that’s it.
“And even with 10 men, we have three great chances to score the second goal.”
Asked if the incident was something Dowman had to learn from, Arteta said: “We knew when we were preparing the context of the match, we were very clear about what was expected, what we had to dominate emotionally.”
Merson asks for Arteta’s reaction
Reacting to the incident, Merson said, “If so [Viktor] Gyokeres is an experienced international player [Arteta] he doesn’t – but he does it to a 16 year old?
“He’s not the last or the first red card for Arsenal. If it was me, I’d put my arm around him. Still 1-1, they’re still in the game.
“We all say things in life that we wish we didn’t have [Arteta] could get him back, he would have done it differently.”
Dowman was sent away for allegedly shooting during a mass brawl
mate Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff said: “I don’t understand the reaction. Arteta probably thinks it’s angry, naive.
“It’s disappointing for Dowman, but when you see Arteta’s reaction… we have to remember he’s 16 years old.
“Yes, he’s a fantastic talent, but he’s going to make mistakes along the way. I didn’t like the reaction at all.”
He added: “Dowman is potentially the future of Arsenal. Arteta didn’t quite get that.”
Arteta has no complaints about Arsenal’s losing effort
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Arteta shares his thoughts after losing the Carabao Cup on penalties to League Two side Fleetwood.
Speaking after the game, Arteta was gentle in congratulating Fleetwood on the shock win – but did not think his Arsenal players had shown a lack of fight against the League Two side.
Instead, Arteta was frustrated that his side did not show a more clinical edge – 19 shots on target, with Kai Havertz most guilty of missing three or four of the best opportunities.
“First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for making it to the next stage,” Arteta said. Sky Sports.
“It’s a really sad day for us. I can’t fault the attitude of the players at all, I’ve never seen anyone at this level who didn’t do what was required, but we had so much possession, so many chances, so many shots and if you want the difference to be bigger than penalties, you have to take advantage of that. We didn’t and that’s what football is about.
“It wasn’t about the attitude, otherwise I’d be fuming here. I’m sad, we’re all sad.
“We have an obligation to represent this brand in the best possible way. It had nothing to do with effort, application or determination to win and earn it, but we lacked other things to generate bigger margins.
“With what we produced, it should have shown on the score line.”