Mikel Arteta Addresses Max Dowman’s Red Card Controversy
Mikel Arteta has defended his response to Max Dowman‘s red card received during the match against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, cautioning the 16-year-old that he is not in “Disneyland” after his controversial sending off.
Arteta showed visible frustration with Dowman as he exited the pitch following the red card. Dowman reacted by kicking out after a dangerous challenge from Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal in the 85th minute, contributing to the team’s unexpected loss in the Carabao Cup.
Arteta has issued a warning to the 16-year-old Dowman (Getty)
Arteta noted that he had informed Dowman to be prepared for physical challenges from the League Two side and encouraged him to avoid retaliating to aggressive plays.
Despite this, Arteta faced criticism for publicly admonishing Dowman as he left the field and traveled down the tunnel. Former Arsenal player Paul Merson remarked that he would not have reprimanded a more experienced player in a similar situation.
“I haven’t seen the reaction to my reaction, whether that’s positive or negative,” Arteta replied when asked about the criticism. “I understand but you need to comprehend the context, the relationship I have with him, and what we discussed before stepping onto the pitch.”
“If you observe the reaction from my mother and father when I was younger, you’d think, ‘you don’t like that reaction’, but for me, it was the best reaction ever as it helped shape who I am,” he continued. “What you want to witness is the response of his teammates when they are required to play with 10 men.”
“What do you expect? That’s the level of the game and that’s the reaction. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s the response. And when I don’t win, I’m very frustrated. This is the reality here.”
Arteta emphasized the importance of holding Dowman to the same standards as his peers, stating that he has to “earn the right” to participate actively in matches.
Arteta said he wanted to treat Dowman equally and said he had to ‘earn the right’ to play (Getty)
Dowman had faced a similar incident earlier this month while playing for the England Under-21s. Arteta expressed disappointment regarding Dowman’s failure to adhere to pre-match guidance during the Fleetwood game.
Arteta maintained that while he is protective of the young player, he must also be direct about expectations for both his performance and behavior during games, knowing that tougher challenges will persist as he develops.
Dowman kicked out following a heavy challenge from behind (Getty)
“There are no issues at all,” Arteta reassured following a discussion with the player. “I’ve been protective of young players because we’ve all made errors.”
Should Dowman continue to face similar challenges, Arteta believes it is crucial to eliminate such incidents swiftly to prevent further consequences.
Arsenal was unsuccessful in overturning Dowman’s three-match suspension. The Football Association ruled against claims of both “wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment.”
Arteta expressed his disappointment over the rejected appeal, emphasizing the need to protect Dowman, noted for his dribbling abilities, from aggressive tactics employed by defenders.
“His reaction was minimal regarding the tackle,” Arteta stated. “It is what it is. We presented a solid argument, not just focusing on the incident but also considering the player’s age. We were fortunate he did not sustain a serious injury.”
