Arteta Explains Reaction to Dowman’s Red Card — SkimNews
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- Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct for kicking out at Harrison Neal after the Fleetwood Town defender’s strong challenge; Arsenal exited the Carabao Cup on penalties.
- Arsenal appealed Dowman’s dismissal, but the appeal was rejected, leaving the 16-year-old suspended for the clash with Liverpool on Super Sunday.
- Mikel Arteta said he had spoken with Dowman the previous day, insisted there were “no issues” between them and described his tunnel reaction as heat-of-the-moment frustration.
- Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must protect Dowman while being “very straight” about his responsibility to the team, adding that a player must earn the right to play: “We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League.”
- Paul Merson criticized Arteta’s visible reaction and said the manager should have put an arm around Dowman; Arteta replied that he had not seen the reaction to his reaction.
- Max Dowman had also been sent off for England earlier in October, Arteta said, adding that the recurrence needed to end quickly.
Why it matters: Dowman’s rejected appeal leaves the 16-year-old unavailable for Liverpool on Super Sunday, while Arsenal have exited the Carabao Cup. Arteta’s stated standard is equally material: Dowman must be protected but also earn the right to play, with teammates’ response to a 10-man team driving the manager’s demand.
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