‘If that was Gyokeres’ – Paul Merson questions Arteta’s reaction to Max Dowman’s red card

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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · Arsenal Insider ↗

Arsenal exited the Carabao Cup at Fleetwood Town, with controversy surrounding Max Dowman's red card late in the game. Dowman, 16, was sent off for appearing to kick out at a Fleetwood player after a hard tackle. Mikel Arteta was seen reprimanding Dowman as he left the pitch. The Arsenal boss later gave a blunt response when asked about the incident, according to Arsenal Insider.

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson questioned Arteta's reaction, suggesting it was too harsh. Merson felt the red card was unwarranted, citing Dowman's age and frustration after a tough tackle. He compared Arteta's reaction to how he might handle a more experienced player, like Viktor Gyokeres, differently. Merson suggested a more supportive approach would be more suitable for a young player.

Arteta's frustration may have been influenced by the potential impact of a suspension on Arsenal's upcoming game against Liverpool, as Dowman was one of the few available natural wide options due to injuries to other players. Many Arsenal fans agreed that the red card was harsh, and Arteta planned to review the incident before commenting further, according to Arsenal Insider.