Revealed: What Mikel Arteta Said to Max Dowman After Red Card

Arsenal were dealt a humiliating shock defeat to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, with Max Dowman being sent off before the Gunners were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties.

The 16-year-old was shown a straight red card with ten minutes remaining at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night, and footage of the moment he walked past Arteta on his way down the tunnel has since gained huge traction on social media. The Arsenal boss looked visibly furious as Dowman passed him, appearing to order the youngster straight inside.

Specualtion has emerged on what Mikel Arteta said to the youngster, whilst he seemed visibly fuming, and he appeared to tell Max Dowman to ‘go to the other dressing room', according to X user, The_True_GN.

The instruction is likely down to safeguarding rules. As Dowman is still only 16, FA guidance means he is not usually permitted to share a dressing room with the senior squad, and he typically changes separately from his adult teammates on matchdays.

The incident came after Dowman was on the receiving end of a firm challenge from Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal, who won the ball but left the Arsenal teenager on the floor. As Neal lay on the ground, Dowman turned and appeared to push him with his leg. While it did not appear to be a kick, the reaction sparked a brawl between both sets of players, with Ben White quickly stepping in to protect his young teammate.

Referee Michael Salisbury, with no VAR in operation, deemed the reaction worthy of a red card, leaving Arsenal to play out the remaining ten minutes of the match with ten men. The Gunners went on to lose 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, completing one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.

Speaking after the match, Arteta suggested the side had prepared for Dowman to be targeted. He revealed, ‘When we prepared the context of the match, we were very clear on the things to expect, the things that emotionally we have to dominate.'

The Arsenal boss was reluctant to pass judgement on the incident itself, adding, ‘It’s difficult to see on the cameras, so I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation.’

Asked whether Dowman would learn from the experience, Arteta replied, ‘Yes, we all learn from everything.’

When pressed on what he said to the teenager as he made his way down the tunnel, Arteta kept his cards close to his chest, simply responding, ‘Something we discussed before the game.’

It was the first red card of Dowman’s short senior career, though he did see red earlier this month for reported violent conduct as England under-19s faced their United States counterparts in Spain.

Dowman now faces a three-match suspension, ruling him out of Arsenal’s next three Premier League games, away at Liverpool, at home to Hull City and away at Newcastle United. Arsenal are also without Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke on the right flank, who have both suffered injuries in the last week.