Arteta Addresses Dowman’s Red Card and Set Standards for Arsenal’s Young Players
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear to Max Dowman that “we are not in Disneyland,” emphasizing his intention to hold the 16-year-old to the same standards as other members of the first team.
Dowman received a red card in the 85th minute during Arsenal’s penalty shoot-out loss to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday after reacting to a heavy challenge from Harrison Neal. He will now serve a three-match ban as a consequence of this incident.
Arteta expressed his frustration with Dowman following the match, having spoken to him as he left the pitch. On Friday, he commented on the situation for the first time, noting that he had warned Dowman about managing provocation before the game.
“I haven’t seen the reaction to my reaction, whether it is positive or negative. But you need to understand the context and the relationship that I have with him and what we discussed just before we went out,” Arteta elaborated, referencing his discussion with the young player.
Arteta added, “But, I don’t know. You can have another reaction. If you see the reaction of my father and my mother with me some days you might say ‘I don’t like the reaction’. For me, it was the best reaction to be who I am.”
On Thursday, Arteta spoke to Dowman again and stated there were “no issues at all” between them. However, he emphasized the importance of being “very straight” about the expectations for the player’s conduct.
Earlier this month, Dowman also received a red card while playing for the England U19s, where he faced similar challenges. Arteta commented on this, stating, “They are his age. They are 16 – the same. What is the reaction? That is the level and that is the reaction.”
Arteta highlighted the impact Dowman’s red card had on the team by stating, “And the reaction when I don’t win, you want to know what my reaction is? I am [angry] big time. So, we need to be ready for that.” He added, “This is the environment and this is the reality, otherwise we are in Disneyland. We are not in Disneyland; we are in the Premier League and this level.”
While the Gunners did appeal the red card, the Football Association (FA) upheld the decision, which Arteta found disappointing. He remarked, “We are lucky today that he (Dowman) hasn’t had a broken foot.”
