The hypocrisy of Mikel Arteta's scathing reaction towards 'kid' Max Dowman

Arteta's public fury at 16-year-old Dowman after his red card against Fleetwood contradicts his own message about emotional control, drawing criticism for handling a young player harshly.

Max Dowman, 16, was sent off for a kick-out against Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup, earning a three-game suspension that will keep him out until Arsenal's visit to Manchester City on 29 November. The incident itself was avoidable — Fleetwood's Harrison Neal had lunged in with a scissoring challenge, but that does not excuse losing composure at senior level.

What has become the bigger story is Mikel Arteta's reaction. The, former Arsenal manager directed visible fury at Dowman as the teenager walked down the tunnel, a public dressing-down that has drawn scrutiny. Arteta had preached the need to "emotionally dominate" in his pre-match preparation, yet failed to keep his own emotions in check on the touchline.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson questioned whether a more established player would have received the same explosive treatment, noting Dowman's age and the need for careful nurturing. Arteta has previously stressed the importance of protecting the young talent from overwhelming noise, but his public reaction has arguably made the story about his own conduct rather than the player's discipline.