Arteta tells Dowman ‘we are not in Disneyland’ after red card

The Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta has told Max Dowman “we are not in Disneyland” and that he intends to hold the young player to the same standards as other 1^st-team footballers.

Max, who is 16 years old, received a red card in the 85th minute of Arsenal’s penalty shoot-out elimination against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this week after reacting to a heavy challenge by Harrison Neal and will serve a 3-game suspension.

His Spanish manager spoke to the teenager while he was leaving the pitch, and today Arteta revealed that he warned Max before the match about dealing with provocation.

“I haven’t seen what people say about my reaction, but we spoke about things like this could happen during the game with Dowman, and that’s why I was frustrated,” the Gunners manager shared with the media.

Mikel also said that he had discussed the situation with the teenager yesterday and that all things are clear between the two of them. However, Arteta claimed that he must be “very straight” with Max and clear about what is expected of him.

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"We are not in Disneyland!"

Mikel Arteta speaking about the way people reacted to his reaction to Max Dowman’s red card against Fleetwood Town 🔊 https://t.co/tpvC73DxWP

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2026