Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has rubbished suggestions he was too harsh on Max Dowman following his red card at Fleetwood on Tuesday night.
Dowman, 16, was sent off for a kick out at Harrison Neal following a bruising tackle in the 85th minute of the EFL Cup tie. Fleetwood went on to complete a huge shock by winning the penalty shoot-out.
Arteta directed some angry words at Dowman when he walked off the field at Highbury Stadium and has been criticised for not taking a softer approach with the youngster.
However, he doubled down on his actions today, suggesting Dowman needs to learn quickly to avoid a repeat.
“We are not in Disneyland, we’re in the Premier League,” Arteta said.
“If you see the reaction from my mother and father with me sometimes, you’d say ‘you don’t like that reaction’ but for me it was the best reaction ever as it enabled me to be who I am.
“What do you expect? That’s the level and that’s the reaction. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s the reaction. And the reaction when I don’t win, I’m ****** off, big time. This is the environment and the reality.
“I had a talk with him yesterday. There are no issues at all. I’ve done it. That’s why I’m so protective of these things and young players as we have all made these mistakes.
“We know how much you can get punished. And what happens next. It’s not the first time, so we need to put an end to it very quickly.”
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