Arteta’s reaction to Max Dowman after his sending off was wrong

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Arsenal lost to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, with Mikel Arteta visibly annoyed as his team struggled against a potentially relegation-threatened League Two team. The game was expected to be easy, but Arsenal's decision to start academy players backfired. Max Dowman, a 16-year-old fixture in the first team, was sent off and received criticism from Arteta as he left the pitch. Dowman's dismissal wasn't the sole reason for the loss, as Arsenal should have been leading by then.

Paul Merson disagreed with Arteta's approach, suggesting he should have comforted Dowman instead of criticizing him. Merson believed that in such situations, reassurance is crucial, especially since the game was still 1-1 when Dowman was sent off. Merson stated that Arteta might regret his reaction and that managers must balance discipline with supporting young players.

Merson's view highlights the challenge managers face in handling young players. Arsenal must now help Dowman learn from the incident and regain his confidence to prevent the difficult evening from hindering his development. The club's ability to support Dowman will be crucial in ensuring that the experience does not negatively impact his future.