Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta doubles down on Max Dowman treatment with Disneyland comment

Arteta defended his criticism of 16-year-old Dowman after the winger's red card against Fleetwood, saying demands and accountability are part of Premier League football.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta doubled down on his treatment of 16-year-old winger Max Dowman following the teenager's sending-off in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town. Dowman was dismissed for kicking out after a strong challenge, and Arteta was seen berating him on the sideline.

At a press conference on Friday, Arteta defended his reaction, explaining the context of their relationship and what he had discussed with Dowman before the match. He drew parallels to his own parents' discipline and compared Dowman's dismissal to a similar red card the player received for England's Under-19s against the USA on October 4.

Arteta emphasized that the Premier League demands accountability from all players, regardless of age. "We look after him so much that you cannot imagine. But at the same time we are going to demand from him like everybody else because he needs to earn the right to play," he said, adding that other players would question fairness if young prospects were treated differently.