Mikel Arteta has revealed what he told Max Dowman after the teenager was shown a red card in Arsenal's Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town. The Premier League champions were beaten on penalties by a side 84 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Dowman scored twice in the previous round of the competition against Ipswich Town and was rewarded with another start on Tuesday night. But it was an evening to forget for the 16-year-old, who was sent off late on in the contest for kicking out at Harrison Neal.
Arteta's message to Dowman
Arteta gave the youngster a scathing look as he left the pitch, sharing some angry words with the winger as he made his way down the tunnel. While he did not disclose exactly what was said, Arteta later explained he was reminding Dowman of something the two discussed heading into the game.
Asked what he had said, Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'Something that we discussed already before the match.'
Dowman's previous dismissal
Dowman was sent off playing for England's Under-19s earlier this month in somewhat similar circumstances, putting in a strong tackle having been on the receiving end of some rough treatment earlier in the game.
On Tuesday's incident, Arteta added: '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.'
Three-match ban and squad impact
Dowman is set to serve a three-match ban following his dismissal, ruling him out of Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United. His absence comes with Arteta already short of wide options with Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis already sidelined.
