Mikel Arteta has revealed what he told Max Dowman after the Arsenal youngster was sent off during the club’s shock Carabao Cup exit against Fleetwood Town.
The 16-year-old received a straight red card in the closing stages after kicking out at Harrison Neal following a heavy challenge, leaving Arsenal with 10 men for the final stages of the contest.
The dismissal added to a frustrating evening for the Gunners, who were unable to overcome their League Two opponents after a 1-1 draw before losing on penalties.
Arteta responds to Dowman’s red card
Asked what he said to Dowman as the teenager walked down the tunnel, Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Something that we discussed already before the match."
The Arsenal manager’s response suggested he had warned the youngster about the physical treatment he could face and the importance of keeping his composure, particularly when opponents attempt to provoke a reaction.
Dowman had also been sent off while representing England Under-19s earlier this month, making the latest incident another setback for the highly rated teenager.
Arteta declined to judge the dismissal before reviewing the footage, saying: “It's difficult to see on the cameras like that. So I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation.”
Arsenal pay the price for missed chances
Despite the red card attracting attention, Arsenal’s failure to take their chances proved costly as they suffered an unexpected cup exit.
Arteta defended his players’ attitude after the match but admitted they had not done enough in front of goal to avoid a penalty shootout.
"I cannot fault at all the attitude of the players," he said. "I haven't seen anyone not doing what is required at this level."
However, the Arsenal manager acknowledged that his side needed to make more of their dominance, having enjoyed plenty of possession and created numerous opportunities.
The defeat leaves Arteta with questions to address, while Dowman will need to learn from another disciplinary setback as he continues his development at senior level.
