Mikel Arteta has defended his fiery touchline reaction to Max Dowman's red card, insisting "we are not in Disneyland." The Arsenal manager's furious response to the 16-year-old's controversial dismissal at Fleetwood has sparked debate, but the Premier League title-winning boss feels Dowman must learn to cope with the pressure and responsibilities that come with being a top-level player.
Arteta's blunt message to Dowman
Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, Arteta said: "Whether it is right or wrong, that's the reaction. But the reaction when I don't win, you know what the reaction is? I'm p***** off, big time."
"So we need to be ready for that. This is the environment and this is the reality. Otherwise, we are in Disneyland. We are not in Disneyland."
He added: "We are in the Premier League at this level and we look after him so much that you cannot imagine. But at the same time, we're going to demand him like to anybody else because he needs to earn the right to play. Otherwise, the rest of the boys, what are they going to tell me? You need to be fair. Let's go."
FA appeal rejected
Arteta also criticised the Football Association after they knocked back Arsenal's appeal, meaning Dowman will remain suspended for domestic matches against Liverpool, Hull and Newcastle.
"Very disappointed, to be fair," he explained. "Especially with the reckless tackles that he received, and then his reaction is minimal in relation to the action. Disappointed that it's not been overturned after looking at the action back."
"It could have been really bad, yeah. And we are lucky today that he hasn't had a broken foot. That's clear. It is what it is. We have put every argument on the table to make a case for it."
Arteta continued: "Not only the action, obviously, that it's evident, and when you look it back in slow motion, the previous action and Max's action, it's clear that obviously we have a very different opinion. And on top of that, I think you have to read the context of the player, the age, and what happened previously."
