arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions he was too harsh on Max Dowman following his red card at Fleetwood on Tuesday night.
Dowman, 16, was sent off for a send-off on Harrison Neal after a heavy tackle in the 85th minute of the EFL Cup tie. Fleetwood completed a major shock by winning the penalty shootout.
Arteta directed some angry words at Dowman as he left the Highbury Stadium pitch and has been criticized for not taking a softer approach with the youngster.
However, he today scaled back his actions, suggesting Dowman must learn quickly to avoid a repeat.
“We’re not in Disneyland, we’re in the Premier League,” Arteta said. whose runners-up visit Liverpool on Sunday.
“If you see my mum and dad’s reaction to me sometimes, you’d say ‘you don’t like that reaction’, but for me it was the best reaction I’ve ever had because it allowed me to be who I am.
“What do you expect? That’s the level and that’s the reaction. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s the reaction. And the reaction when I don’t win, I’m down, really good. That’s the environment and the reality.”
Arteta spoke to Arsenal star Dowman yesterday
He added: “My reaction comes at a time of extreme heat and frustration because I know the consequences, especially for Max. We talked about it just before we went out and it will continue to happen, unfortunately, because of how it attracts rivals.
“He is 16 years old and we have to be very protective with him but also very direct with what we expect from him with the team, the individual and the club.
“I spoke to him yesterday. There’s no problem. I’ve done it. That’s why I’m so protective of these things and of young players, because we’ve all made these mistakes.”
“We know how far you can be punished. And what happens after that. It’s not the first time, it happened earlier this month with England, so we have to get this over with very quickly.”
Dowman claim rejected with Arsenal ‘very disappointed’
Arsenal appealed the red card, but it was overturned, meaning the winger will miss the next three games.
Arteta added: “Very disappointed to be fair, especially with the reckless tackles he took. His reaction is minimal in relation to the action. I’m disappointed he didn’t go over.”
“It is what it is. We put all the arguments on the table to argue it. The action is so obvious. Obviously we have a very different opinion and I think you have to read the context of the player, the age and what happened before.”
“It could have been very bad. Today we’re lucky he didn’t break his foot, that’s for sure.”
Dowman would have been in Arsenal’s squad for the trip to Anfield with Bukayo Saka injured and Noni Madueke a doubt.
Arteta said Madueke was not yet ruled out and also confirmed that Declan Rice, Christos Tzolis and Riccardo Calafiori would be involved if they come through Saturday’s training session unscathed.
