Arteta remains tight-lipped on Max Dowman reaction after 16-year-old's red card

Arteta declined to explain his apparent criticism of 16-year-old Dowman after the teenager's red card for violent conduct in Arsenal's Carabao Cup penalty loss to Fleetwood Town.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to elaborate on his reaction to Max Dowman's first-half red card in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town. The 16-year-old was sent off in the 85th minute for violent conduct after kicking out at Fleetwood midfielder Harrison Neal, who had tackled him from behind. Arteta appeared to have sharp words for Dowman as he left the pitch, though the manager said he needed to review the incident before commenting fully. "It's difficult to see on the cameras like that so I'd prefer to watch it back properly so I can assess the situation," Arteta told Sky Sports. When asked if Dowman could learn from the red card, he replied: "Yeah, we all learn from everything, yeah."

Downam will miss Arsenal's next three Premier League matches, starting with Sunday's trip to Liverpool. The incident comes as Arteta is also expected to be without first-choice right winger Bukayo Saka due to injury for the coming weeks.