Mikel Arteta’s history with Arsenal red cards helps explain why Max Dowman got a talking-to.
Mikel Arteta has a history of publicly calling out his players when they get red cards because of losing control of their emotions.
On Tuesday, Arsenal’s young player Max Dowman, just 16, got a sharp reaction from Arteta after being sent off for reacting to a tough tackle during the game against Fleetwood Town. This red card was a low point in a tough night for the Premier League champions, who eventually lost 5-3 on penalties to the League Two team after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Arteta has often been quick to hold players responsible for losing their emotional focus. Back in 2020, he was very critical of Nicolas Pepe after Pepe was sent off for headbutting a Leeds player, calling that behavior “unacceptable.” A month later, Granit Xhaka was also sent off for grabbing another player by the throat. When asked if he considered Xhaka’s actions “unacceptable,” Arteta said yes—and added that it was even worse given the team’s struggles at that time.
Arteta’s reaction to Dowman seems to come from a similar place: he believes players must keep their emotions in check. When asked what he said to Dowman after the red card, Arteta hinted, “Something we had talked about before the match.” He added that they had been very clear about respecting certain rules and staying emotionally strong during the game.
Arsenal is now appealing Dowman’s red card, with the club needing to submit their appeal before 1pm on Thursday. They hope to get a decision before Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool, although the FA will decide on the timing.
The team is already short on players for the Liverpool match, with Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, and Noni Madueke all injured.
Arteta’s strong reaction drew a lot of criticism from fans and the media. Former Arsenal player Paul Merson reminded everyone that Dowman is just 16 and still learning. On Sky Sports, Merson said, “You have to remember he is a kid. He wasn’t having the best night, so he got frustrated. He’s excited to get chances with Arsenal and probably wants to play more. It was an old-fashioned tackle. If it had been an experienced player like Viktor Gyokeres, I don’t think Arteta would have reacted that way. He’s only human.”
Merson added that Dowman is not the first or last Arsenal player to get sent off, suggesting this is part of the learning process for young players.