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Arteta criticized for treatment of 16-year-old young star
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Arteta criticized for treatment of 16-year-old young star

October 29, 2026 ·

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Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, received sharp attention after his negative reaction to Max Dowman who received a red card in the match against Fleetwood in the League Cup.

Arteta criticized for treatment of 16-year-old young star

According to Vnexpress.

Background

Max Dowman, as a young player, now faces the challenge of returning to his best performance after this incident. Arteta's reaction could influence his career development at Arsenal, where coaching support is very important for young players. Dowman's involvement in the Liên đoàn Cup shows his potential, but the need for proper guidance from Arteta will be crucial going forward.

Why this is important

The criticism of Mikel Arteta reflects the pressure the coach faces in managing young players at a high level. The treatment of Max Dowman, who is only 16, shows the emotional challenges faced in tight match situations, especially in the League Cup. The decision to send Dowman off also has the potential to affect Arsenal's team dynamics in the match.

Main Points

  • Arteta criticized for treatment of 16-year-old young star.
  • Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, received sharp attention after his negative reaction to Max Dowman who received a red card in the match against Fleetwood in the League Cup.
  • Arteta bị chỉ trích vì cách đối xử với thần đồng 16 tuổi.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal coach, is facing criticism following his treatment of 16-year-old Max Dowman, who received a red card in the League Cup match against Fleetwood. This criticism came from former Arsenal midfielder, Paul Merson, who felt Arteta should have been more empathetic towards Dowman after the incident that occurred in the 88th minute.

In that match, when the score was still tied at 1-1, Dowman tried to keep the ball near the touchline. However, Fleetwood's Harrison Neal made a powerful two-footed tackle from behind. Dowman, who was frustrated, immediately pushed his knee towards Neal, who was falling, so the referee issued an immediate red card for him. This decision meant that Arsenal had to play with 10 people for the remaining time of the match.

As Dowman left the pitch and headed for the tunnel, Arteta was seen approaching him in a tone that Merson deemed too harsh. Merson commented on Sky Sports, "If it was Viktor Gyokeres, an experienced player, Arteta wouldn't have behaved like that. However, he did it to a 16 year old kid. He should have consoled Dowman, not blamed. At that time, the score was still 1-1 and Arsenal still had a chance."

Merson added that Arteta may have reacted in an emotional state and would have acted differently if he could repeat the situation. He also expressed the opinion that the decision to send off Dowman was too harsh and he should have only received a yellow card.

![Image](https://vcdn1-thethao.vnecdn.net/2026/10/28/a-nh-ma-n-hi-nh-lu-c-179314659- 2554-3594-1793146611.png?w=1200&h=675&q=100&dpr=1&fit=crop&s=mu2_EJXmw9hsZUREqVMDBw)

Former defender Andy Hinchcliffe also expressed similar comments, who argued that the red card was too heavy for a young player like Dowman. After the match, Arteta was asked to explain his actions towards Dowman. However, the Spanish coach only answered briefly, "That is something we discussed before the match."

Arteta was reluctant to explain further even though questions continued to be asked by journalists. Regarding the red card decision, Arteta did not directly criticize the referee, but admitted that he had not been able to evaluate the situation thoroughly. "I haven't seen the replay. It's very difficult to say what actually happened. The referee has made his decision and we have to accept it," he said.

Even though Arsenal only played with 10 men, they were still able to create several good opportunities to score the second goal. However, at the end of the match, Arsenal had to swallow the bitter pill when they lost 3-5 in a penalty shootout after Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty. Arteta emphasized that with the many opportunities created, Arsenal should be able to win the match without having to go through a penalty shootout.

"We have to learn from these mistakes, especially in knockout competitions where every mistake can have fatal consequences," stressed Arteta. He also added that several key players were unable to play due to injury, including Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke, as well as Declan Rice who was not in optimal physical condition. Next, Arsenal will focus on their match against Liverpool at Anfield on November 1 in the ninth week of the Premier League.

What happened next

With Arsenal now having to adapt to playing with 10 men, their focus will turn to how to deal with this situation in the upcoming matches. Arteta may need to evaluate his approach with young players to build confidence and mental resilience. Meanwhile, the team's performance in the Liên đoàn Cup will be in the spotlight, especially ahead of important matches this season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the result of the Arsenal vs Fleetwood match?

The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

How will Max Dowman's red card impact Arsenal?

Arsenal had to play with 10 men after Dowman received a red card.

Who criticized Mikel Arteta after the match?

Paul Merson, former Arsenal midfielder, criticized Arteta for his treatment of Dowman.

What happened in the 88th minute of the match?

Max Dowman received a red card after pushing Harrison Neal.

When is Arsenal's next match after Fleetwood?

Information regarding Arsenal's next match is not mentioned in the article.

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Arteta criticized for treatment of 16-year-old young star