Mikel Arteta has explained his angry reaction to Max Dowman after the Arsenal teenager was shown a straight red card during the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Fleetwood on Tuesday night.
The Gunners were eliminated from the competition at Highbury Stadium after the hosts took the lead and Viktor Gyokeres levelled for Arsenal, only for the tie to be decided on penalties. Bruno Guimaraes saw his spot-kick saved in the shootout.
Dowman sent off late in the match
Arsenal struggled throughout the 90 minutes, though Dowman had been one of the better players for the visitors, creating chances for Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber with dangerous crosses into the box.
However, the 16-year-old was sent off with five minutes remaining, leaving Arsenal to finish the match with ten men. Dowman reacted angrily to a heavy challenge from Harrison Neal and kicked out at the defender, even though the force was minimal.
He was shown a straight red card and, as he walked off the pitch towards the tunnel, Arteta leaned towards Dowman with his arms crossed and aimed furious words in his direction.
Arteta's explanation and reaction
Asked after the match what he had told Dowman, Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Something that we discussed already before the match."
That suggested Arteta had warned the teenager in the build-up to the fixture to expect rough treatment and not to react to it.
It was the second red card Dowman has picked up this month. He was previously sent off for England's Under-19 side for a reckless challenge after he had been on the receiving end of poor tackles himself.
Despite his touchline reaction, Arteta was reluctant to discuss the incident leading to the red card. "It's difficult to see on the cameras like that," he said. "So I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation."
Arsenal's night to forget
It was an embarrassing night for Arsenal against a side that sit 18th in League Two. Even with Arteta significantly rotating his side, the likes of Kai Havertz, Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber all started.
Martin Odegaard and Ben White were introduced at half-time, while Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Eberechi Eze all came on later in the half.
Still it was not enough for Arsenal to see off Fleetwood, but Arteta refused to criticise the mentality of his team. "I cannot fault at all the attitude of the players," Arteta said.
"I haven't seen anyone not doing what is required at this level. But, obviously, we insisted so much, we have so much of the ball, so many chances, so many shots, and if you want the margins to be bigger than going to the penalties, obviously, you need to capitalize on that."
"And we didn't. And football is about that."
