Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta warned 16-year-old forward Max Dowman that life in the senior squad is not Disneyland and he must meet the same standards as everyone else following a red card on Tuesday.
The teenager was sent off during a shock Carabao Cup penalty shootout exit against Fleetwood Town after reacting to a challenge from Harrison Neal.
Arsenal failed in an appeal against the dismissal, leaving Arteta disappointed, as he argued the tackle could have broken Dowman's foot.
However, the Gunners coach also emphasized that the young player must learn the tough realities of performing at the highest level.
Arteta stated: “This is the environment and this is the reality. Otherwise, we are in Disneyland.”
He added: “We are not in Disneyland. We are in the Premier League at this level and we look after him so much that you cannot imagine.”
Arteta continued: “But at the same time we are going to demand him, like anybody else, because he needs to earn the right to play.”
He also noted: “Otherwise, the rest of the boys, what are they going to tell me? You need to be fair.”
Arteta appeared angry with Dowman as the player left the field on Tuesday evening following the red card against the League Two opponents.
The Spanish manager explained his reaction stemmed from extreme frustration because he had previously warned the teenager about being targeted by opponents and avoiding retaliation.
He stated: “It’s something that we discussed just before we went out, because it’s not the first time that happened.”
He added: “It happened another time this month with England. And it will continue to happen, unfortunately, because of the way he plays and the way he attracts opponents.”
Arteta asked: “You want to see the reaction of his team-mates? When they have to play with ten, you want to see that? What do you expect?”
He further remarked: “And whether it is right or wrong, that’s the reaction. But the reaction when I don’t win, you know what the reaction is? I’m p***** off, big time. So we need to be ready for that.”
Arteta acknowledged why Dowman reacted the way he did given the severity of the tackle he received.
The Arsenal head coach also spoke with the teenager on Thursday and insisted there were no lingering issues from the incident.
He explained: “You have to read the context of the player, the age, and what happened previously.”
He stated: “It could have been really bad, and we’re lucky today that he hasn’t had a broken foot – that’s clear.”
Arteta added: “When you play for Arsenal, you’re going to have highs and lows. You have to be prepared for that. It doesn’t matter the age. So don’t feel sorry for yourself.”
He concluded: “I had a talk with him – no issues at all. I’s done it, so I try to prevent that. That’s why I’m so protective of these things and especially with young players, because we have made those mistakes.”
He also said: “I want to protect [him] because if a player that weighs 95kg, 100kg, comes at 35km/h to Max and hits a bone, I don’t know what happens.”
