- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his angry reaction towards 16-year-old Max Dowman following the teenager's red card during Arsenal's Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.
- Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute after reacting to a dangerous challenge from behind by Fleetwood's Harrison Neal, a tackle Arteta claimed could have broken the youngster's foot.
- Arteta warned the teenage prospect about the physical demands of senior football, stating that the team is not in “Disneyland” and emphasising that Dowman must refrain from reacting to heavy treatment.
- The Football Association rejected Arsenal's appeal against the sending off, dismissing claims of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment to uphold Dowman's three-match suspension.
- Arteta maintained that while the club nurtures young talent, high standards and demands must be enforced, asserting that young players must earn their right to play.
IN FULL
