The key facts

  • Arsenal lost to Fleetwood 5-3 on penalties after a 1:1 draw in regular time in the fourth round of the League Cup
  • 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off five minutes before the end of regular time; the club's appeal was rejected, with a three-match suspension for violent conduct
  • Arteta called the reaction justified: «We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League»

A sensational exit and a red card

The reigning Premier League champions Arsenal suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their history: in the fourth round of the League Cup, the team drew 1:1 in regular time with fourth-division side Fleetwood and lost 5-3 on penalties away from home. Five minutes before the end of regular time, 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman was sent off — for a strike toward Harrison Neal. The decision looked harsh and debatable, but Arsenal's appeal against the red card and the punishment was unsuccessful: Dowman was immediately suspended for three matches for violent conduct.

Arteta's reaction and the criticism directed at him

Some commentators criticised Mikel Arteta for his reaction to the sending-off: in their view, he should have shown more sympathy for the teenager as he left the pitch. At the pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Liverpool, the Spanish coach stood by his opinion. «Do you want to see the reaction of his team-mates? When they have to play with ten men, do you want to see that? What do you expect? This is our environment and our reality. Otherwise we are in Disneyland. We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League,» he said. Arteta added that he understands the criticism, but emphasised the context and his relationship with the player, as well as what they had discussed before he came onto the pitch.

«He has to earn the right to play»

Arteta noted that something similar had already happened this month with the England under-19 side, and that it would happen again because of Dowman's style of play and the way he provokes opponents. According to the coach, the club carefully looks after the 16-year-old debutant, but will also be demanding: «he has to earn the right to play, just like everyone else». At the same time, Arteta said he has «no problem» with the player and expressed disappointment at the rejected appeal: in his assessment, Dowman was subjected to reckless challenges, and his reaction was minimal relative to the incident. Arsenal, level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City, are preparing for the match against Liverpool without the suspended midfielder.