Arteta says Arsenal teenager Dowman must earn chances after Carabao Cup dismissal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says 16-year-old Max Dowman must be protected while also being held to the standards expected of every player after his red card against Fleetwood Town.

Dowman was sent off in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup last-16 tie, prompting an angry reaction from Arteta on the touchline. The teenager had also been dismissed earlier this month while playing for England Under-19s.

Arteta said his response came from “a moment of intense emotion and frustration” because he understood the consequences for Dowman.

“We had discussed it immediately before going on to the pitch because it is not the first time,” Arteta said, as reported by Sky Sports. “It happened earlier this month with England Under-19s and it will continue to happen because of the way he plays and the opponents he attracts.”

The Arsenal manager said he had spoken to Dowman on the day before Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.

“We have to be able to tell each other what we think,” he said. “He is 16 and we have to protect him strongly, but at the same time we have to be clear and direct about what we expect from him towards the team, his team-mates and the club.

“There are no problems between us. We spoke yesterday.”

Arteta said he had not followed the reaction to his behaviour, whether positive or negative, and urged observers to consider the context of his relationship with Dowman and the conversation they had before the match.

He also referred to his own upbringing when explaining his approach.

“If you saw the reaction of my father and mother towards me at certain moments, you would say you did not like it,” Arteta said. “But for me it was the best reaction possible because it shaped my character and made me who I am today.”

Arteta rejected the idea that players should always respond in an ideal way, particularly after Arsenal were forced to continue with 10 men.

“This is a competitive environment and that is the reality,” he said. “We are not in Disneyland; we are playing in the Premier League. We care for him a lot, but we also demand many things from him. He has to earn the opportunity to play through his effort, otherwise what would the rest of the players say to me?”

Arteta was also disappointed after Arsenal’s appeal against Dowman’s suspension was rejected, saying the player had endured a number of heavy challenges.

“I am very disappointed,” he said. “His reaction was minimal compared with the foul that was committed against him. Those challenges could have ended very badly and we are lucky he did not suffer a broken foot.”

Arsenal will assess Noni Madueke in training, while Bukayo Saka requires further scans to determine the extent of his injury and whether his tendon has been affected. Arteta said Saka may miss England duty but added that the club would know more next week.

Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis all trained on Friday and will train again on Saturday. If they come through without problems, Arteta said, they will be available to face Liverpool on 01 November 2026.