Arteta Appears to Scold Arsenal Youngster After Red Card in Carabao Cup Upset
Mikel Arteta was seen speaking sternly to 16-year-old Max Dowman as he left the field following his dismissal in Arsenal's surprise Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared to confront 16-year-old Max Dowman and sternly address the player after the winger was sent off in the latter stages of the team's shock Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Fleetwood Town. The incident occurred as Dowman was making his way off the pitch following his dismissal.
The teenage winger received a straight red card for reacting to a challenge from Fleetwood's Harrison Neal. Neal had slid into Dowman, who responded by appearing to attempt to kick out at the Fleetwood player, which then sparked a melee among players. Dowman's dismissal meant Arsenal had to play the closing stages of the match with 10 men.
The red card capped a dismal night for Arsenal, who were unexpectedly knocked out of the competition on penalties by the League Two side. Fleetwood took the lead in the first half through Aaron Loupalo-Bi. Viktor Gyokeres equalized for Arsenal in the second half, but Bruno Guimaraes missed his spot-kick in the shootout, allowing Fleetwood to convert all five of their penalties and secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson, speaking on Sky Sports after the match, expressed his concern over the incident involving Dowman. "This didn't look good to me at all," Merson stated. "For me, I didn't like that."