Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opted for a tough love approach to young star Max Dowman in the wake of his recent red card.
The 16-year-old was sent off for kicking out at Harrison Neal during Arsenal’s shock midweek penalty-shootout defeat to Fleetwood Town in the League Cup.
Arteta was seen rebuking Dowman after the incident, with the midfielder having also been dismissed during an England under-19s match earlier this month – but the Spaniard insists he has the player’s best interests at heart.
Arteta defends touchline reaction
Asked about his frosty touchline reaction to the red card, Arteta told Sky Sports: “I haven’t seen the reaction to my reaction, whether that’s positive or negative.
“You need to understand the context, the relationship I have with him and what we discussed before we went out.
“For me, it was the best reaction ever as it enabled me to be who I am. You want to see the best and most beautiful reaction. You want to see the reaction of his team-mates when they have to play with 10 men.
“What do you expect? That’s the level and that’s the reaction. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s the reaction. And the reaction when I don’t win – I’m p****d off big time.
“This is the environment and the reality. We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League.
“We look after him so much but we are also demanding as he needs to earn the right to play, otherwise what are the rest of the boys going to tell me?”
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Dowman facing growing expectations
On Dowman’s poor recent disciplinary record, Arteta added: “It’s something we discussed just before we went out because it’s not the first time it’s happened as it happened earlier this month with England.
“It will continue to happen with the way he plays and the way he attracts opponents.
“We have to be protective of him as he is 16 but also very straight with him about what to expect from him towards the team and the club.
“I had a talk with him. There are no issues at all. I’ve done it. That’s why I’m so protective of these things and young players as we have all made these mistakes.
“We know how much you can get punished and what happens next. It’s not the first time, so we need to put an end to it very quickly.”
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