Max Dowman red card: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explains his reaction to the 16-year-old after his sending off during Carabao Cup exit at Fleetwood Town | Football news

Mikel Arteta explained his reaction to Max Dowman as the 16-year-old walked down the tunnel after being sent off during Arsenal’s shock Carabao Cup exit at Fleetwood Town.

Moments before Arsenal exited the contest on penalties against the League Two side, Dowman was sent off for violent conduct for allegedly attacking Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal. The two men clashed for a few 50-50s before a fight broke out.

Dowman then came down the tunnel and Arteta appeared to lean over and say something to the teenager as he walked past. This treatment of the youngster was criticized by Paul Merson, who felt the Arsenal manager should have put an arm around him.

Asked what he said to Dowman, Arteta told reporters: “It’s something we discussed before the game.” Arteta refused to go into detail about it when pressed on it.

On Aerial sports On co-commentary duty, Andy Hinchcliffe said the red card was tough on Dowman and Arteta replied: “I didn’t see it with the camera. You can’t really see what’s happening. The decision was made by the referee and that’s it.

“And even with ten men, we have three big chances to score the second goal.”

Asked if the incident was something Dowman needed to learn from, Arteta replied: “We knew that when we prepared for the context of the match we were very clear about the things to expect, the things we needed to dominate emotionally.”

Merson questions Arteta’s reaction

Reacting to the incident, Merson said: “If it’s (Viktor) Gyokeres, who is an experienced international, he (Arteta) is not doing that – but he is doing that to a 16-year-old kid?

“He’s not the last person to be sent off for Arsenal, nor the first. If it was me I would have hugged him. It’s still 1-1, they’re still in the game.

“We all say things in life that we wish we hadn’t said and if he (Arteta) could take that back he would do it differently.”

Companion Aerial sports Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: “I don’t understand the reaction. Arteta probably thinks it was petulant, naive, which is what I think.

“It’s frustration on Dowman’s part, but when you see Arteta’s reaction… you have to remember he’s 16.

“Yes, he’s a fantastic talent, but he’ll make mistakes along the way. I didn’t like the reaction at all.”

He added: “Dowman is potentially the future of Arsenal. Arteta hasn’t quite got it right.”

Arteta not complaining about Arsenal’s efforts in defeat

Speaking after the match, Arteta was gracious enough to congratulate Fleetwood on the shock victory – but did not think his Arsenal players showed a lack of fight against the League Two side.

Instead, Arteta was frustrated that his side did not show a more clinical edge – putting 19 shots off target, with Kai Havertz most guilty of missing three or four best chances.

“First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for getting through to the next round in the way they did,” Arteta said. Aerial sports.

“It’s a really sad day for us. I can’t fault the attitude of the players, I haven’t seen anyone not doing what is required at this level but we had so much possession, had so many chances, so many shots and if you want the margins to be bigger than the shots on goal you have to capitalize on that. We didn’t do that and that’s football.

“It wasn’t about attitude, otherwise I would be here angry. I’m sad, we’re all sad.

“We have a responsibility to represent this badge in the best way possible. It had nothing to do with effort, application or determination to go out and win it, but we were missing other things to create much bigger margins.

“With what we produced, it should have shown in the score.”