Mikel Arteta has insisted [Arsenal](https://roundtable.io/sports/soccer/premier-league/arsenal) must put an end to Max Dowman’s disciplinary issues ‘very, very quickly’, after the club’s appeal against the teenager’s red card at Fleetwood Town was rejected.
The 16-year-old was sent off late on in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Highbury Stadium, after reacting to a heavy challenge from Fleetwood’s Neal. Arsenal lodged an appeal against the decision, but it has now been dismissed, meaning Dowman will serve a three-match suspension and miss Premier League games against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta made no secret of his frustration with the outcome.
‘Very disappointed, to be fair,’ he said. ‘Especially with the reckless tackles that he received, and then his reaction is minimal in relation to the action.
‘It is what it is. We had put every argument on the table to make a case for it. On top of that, I think you have to read the context of the player, the age, and what happened previously. It could have been really bad, and we are lucky that he hasn’t had a broken foot.’
However, the Arsenal boss also acknowledged that Dowman has to learn to control his emotions, explaining it is not the first time the youngster has been targeted in this way.
The midfielder was also sent off on international duty last month, as he was given his marching orders for serious foul play as England under-21s hosted their American counterparts.
Footage of Arteta’s furious reaction as Dowman made his way down the tunnel gained huge traction on social media, and the Spaniard explained that it came from his concern for the player.
‘My reaction comes in a moment of heat and extreme frustration, because I know the consequences of that, especially for Max,’ he said. ‘It is something we discussed just before we went out, because it is not the first time that it happened. It happened another time this month with England.
‘It will continue to happen unfortunately, because of the way he plays, and the way he attracts opponents. He is 16 and we have to be very protective with him, but at the same time, very straight with him in what we expect from him towards the team, the individuals and the club.’
Arteta confirmed he has since spoken to Dowman, and that there are no issues between the pair.
‘I had a talk with him yesterday, no issues at all,’ he added. ‘I have done it, so I tried to prevent that. That is why I am so protective, especially with young players, because you know how much you can get punished and how much it can change what happens next. It is not the first time, so we have to put an end to it very, very quickly.’
The suspension is a blow for Arsenal, who are already short on the right flank. Bukayo Saka is expected to be out for six to eight weeks, although Noni Madueke could be given the green light for Sunday’s trip to Anfield after an ankle problem.
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