Mikel Arteta was not pleased on Tuesday night as Arsenal get knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two minnows Fleetwood Town.
The contest which moved to a penalty shootout saw Fleetwood seal a 5-3 victory over the Premier League champions.
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute for a reactionary kick at Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal. As Dowman trudged toward the tunnel, Arteta stood with his arms crossed and delivered a stern verbal dressing down to the academy product.
Dowman has impressed since he made his debut for the senior team but his inability to keep his cool left his manager incensed on the sidelines.
Max Dowman reacts as he is sent off by referee Michael Salisbury during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arteta’s frustration appeared to stem from a specific instruction that the player failed to follow during the heat of the cup tie.
When questioned about the nature of his heated exchange with the teenager, Arteta confirmed to BBC Radio 5 Live that the discussion revolved around “something that we discussed already before the match.”
Despite his technical abilities, Dowman seems to get frustrated when being provoked by opposing team. This latest dismissal represents his second red card in the space of a single month.
Dowman was also sent off while representing England’s Under-19 side.
While Arteta would love Dowman to keep his cool in certain situation, the Gunners boss seems concerned that the player is becoming a target for provocation.
Asked to provide a definitive verdict on the incident itself, Arteta noted that he needed to review the footage before making a final judgment. “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,” the Arsenal boss explained.
Dowman will now have to sit out of Arsenal’s next three domestic games. The Gunners will face Liverpool this coming Sunday as they hope to put the shock loss to Fleetwood behind them.
