Photo via Sky Sports

Arteta explains reaction to Dowman red card amid criticism

Arsenal suffered a surprise elimination from the Carabao Cup following a penalty shootout defeat to Fleetwood Town after the match ended tied at one goal apiece. During the fixture, sixteen-year-old Max Dowman received a red card for violent conduct following an altercation with Harrison Neal.

As the teenager walked toward the tunnel, manager Mikel Arteta approached him and made a remark that drew criticism from pundit Paul Merson, who argued the coach should have offered support instead. Arteta later defended his handling of the situation in post-match remarks to reporters.

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