Arteta defends tough response to Dowman's red card

Summarised from 8 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 16:06 · Archive

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his reaction to 16-year-old Max Dowman's red card against Fleetwood, saying the Premier League demands high standards.

Arsenal lost to League Two side Fleetwood Town on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with the match finishing 1-1 in normal time. In the 85th minute, 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct after kicking out at Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal following a heavy challenge from behind.

Arsenal appealed against the dismissal but the Football Association rejected the claim of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment. Dowman will now miss Arsenal's Premier League matches against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle.

Arteta appeared visibly angry as Dowman left the pitch, leaning towards the teenager and speaking to him sharply. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson criticised this reaction, suggesting the manager should have put an arm around the youngster. When asked about the criticism on Friday, Arteta said he had spoken to Dowman before the match and urged him not to react to physical treatment.

Defending his touchline reaction, Arteta said: 'I haven't seen the reaction to my reaction. Whether that's positive or negative. You need to understand the context, the relationship I have with him and what we discussed just before we went out.' He added that he expected strong reactions from his players, including himself when Arsenal lose, and that Dowman must understand the standards required at Premier League level.

Arteta expressed disappointment with the red card decision itself, saying the challenge from Neal was reckless and Dowman's reaction was minimal by comparison. 'It could have been really bad,' Arteta said. 'We are lucky today that he hasn't had a broken foot.' He noted that Dowman had received heavy challenges in an England Under-19s match earlier in the month, where he was also sent off.

Arteta stressed that while Arsenal looks after Dowman, the club demands high standards from him. 'We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League,' he said. 'He needs to earn the right to play otherwise what are the rest of the boys going to tell me?'

How it is being reported

• Arsenal boss Arteta fires ‘Disneyland’ warning at Dowman after red cardArsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he blasted Max Dowman for red card in shock cup loss at Fleetwood.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 16:23
• ‘We are not in Disneyland’: Arteta warns Dowman of Arsenal’s demands‘We have made these mistakes … you can get punished’ Dowman lost appeal against red card at Fleetwood Mikel Arteta has warned Max Dowman that he “is not in Disneyland” and must learn from his red card against Fleetwood after Arsenal’s appeal against his three-match suspension was rejected. The 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to be sent off in League Cup history on Tuesday as the Premier League champions crashed out to League Two side Fleetwood. Arteta said he was “very disappointed” that the Football Association rejected their appeal against his red card and felt Dowman was lucky…Guardian Football · 30 Oct, 15:44
• Mikel Arteta hammers home Arsenal reality to Max Dowman - 'We are not in Disneyland'Max Dowman was sent off in Arsenal's shock loss to Fleetwood during the week, resulting in an angry reaction from Mikel Arteta, who has stuck by his responseMirror Sport · 30 Oct, 15:43
• Arteta warns Dowman 'we are not in Disneyland' after red cardMikel Arteta says "we are not in Disneyland" and that he will hold Max Dowman to the same standards as other first-team players after the teenager's red card against Fleetwood.BBC News · 30 Oct, 15:41
• Mikel Arteta fires new Max Dowman warning as Arsenal boss hits back: 'This isn't Disneyland'Gunners boss doubles down on reaction to youngster’s sending off in Fleetwood humiliationEvening Standard · 30 Oct, 15:15
• 'We're not in Disneyland!': Mikel Arteta fires warning at Arsenal wonderboy Max Dowman, 16, after red card - and says it's not first time it's happenedDowman reacted to a heavy challenge in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night and was sent off for the second time this month, having also seen red while representing England's Under-19s.Daily Mail Sport · 30 Oct, 14:28
• Mikel Arteta defends reaction to Max Dowman red card: ‘This is not Disneyland’The 16-year-old was sent off after reacting to a heavy challenge from behind in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat to FleetwoodIndependent Sport · 30 Oct, 14:00
• Mikel Arteta doubles down on Max Dowman anger and reveals new disappointmentMax Dowman found himself sent off during Arsenal's loss to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, with Mikel Arteta opening up on Michael Salisbury's decisionMirror Sport · 30 Oct, 13:50
• Arteta shows tough love to Dowman after red - 'This isn't Disneyland'Mikel Arteta has gone down the tough love avenue with Max Dowman following his red card at Fleetwood, saying "this is the Premier League, not Disneyland" about the 16-year-old needing to control his emotions.Sky Sports · 30 Oct, 12:00
• Arteta shows tough love to Dowman after red - 'This isn't Disneyland'Mikel Arteta has gone down the tough love avenue with Max Dowman following his red card at Fleetwood, saying "this is the Premier League, not Disneyland" about the 16-year-old needing to control his emotions.Sky Sports Football · 30 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Max Dowman · Mikel Arteta · Arsenal · Fleetwood Town · Harrison Neal · Liverpool

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