Arteta reminds Max Dowman of elite demands after his sending-off

On Tuesday, Max Dowman became the youngest player ever sent off in League Cup history as the Premier League champions were eliminated by League Two side Fleetwood. After Arsenal’s appeal against the 16-year-old’s three-match suspension was rejected, Mikel Arteta explained why he wants to protect the youngster while holding him to the same standards as his teammates.

The manager said he was “very disappointed” that the appeal had been rejected and felt Dowman had narrowly avoided a broken foot after challenges he described as reckless. Arteta said Arsenal had put forward every argument in an attempt to overturn the dismissal, but had not succeeded. In his view, the teenager’s reaction was minimal compared with the contact he had received.

Arteta also said he had spoken to Dowman this week, following the player’s sending-off last month while playing for England Under-19s. He said the conversation took place before they went out onto the pitch and insisted there were “no issues at all” between them. The manager added that he had not followed responses to his own conduct after the red card, when he appeared to direct a few words at the player in the tunnel.

“I’ve made those mistakes, so I try to prevent them in the future,” Arteta said, speaking about his wish to guide young players. He stressed the possible consequences of a dismissal and the need to put a stop to such situations quickly. Dowman’s case, he said, was not the first of its kind.

The manager’s message, however, was not only about discipline. “We are not in Disneyland,” he said, reminding the teenager that his team competes in the Premier League. Arteta said he wants to look after Dowman, but also demand the same level from him as from everyone else: the youngster has to earn his place. He also defended his reaction, saying it reflected who he is and that players must understand the intensity of the competition.

Arteta also said Bukayo Saka is not expected back until at least after the next international break, as Arsenal await further news on his thigh injury.