Arsenal’s Carabao Cup campaign ended in a surprise last-16 exit at the hands of League Two side Fleetwood Town. Despite dominating proceedings with 78% possession and registering 26 shots during normal time, the Premier League title holders were held to a 1-1 draw before eventually losing 5-3 in a penalty shootout. He gets the chance every now and then to play for Arsenal. Isn’t doing too great, he gets the chance tonight.
The match was defined by the late dismissal of 16-year-old winger Max Dowman. Making only his second senior start of the season, Dowman received a red card in the 85th minute after reacting to a heavy challenge from Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal. While he did not fully kick out, his physical response toward Neal prompted referee Michael Salisbury to issue a red card. But the 16-year-old was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons when he was sent off as Arsenal suffered a shock loss to Fleetwood Town, max Dowman has been getting used to making headlines for moments of magic. Yes, there were a lot of challenges flying in thick and fast from both teams, and then there was that moment when a huge challenge came in on him, but as I mentioned earlier they happen so often.
This ejection marks the teenager’s first senior club red card, though he was also sent off for England Under-19s during the previous international break. Manager Mikel Arteta appeared visibly frustrated as the youngster exited the pitch, later confirming that the incident involved “something that we discussed already before the match.” He wasn’t having the greatest of nights so he’s going to get frustrated. He’d do it different, for me that’s a classic moment where if he [Arteta] could have that back.
Arteta emphasized that the team had received clear instructions regarding the expected environment. He stated after the match that the squad was briefed on the specific things to respect and the emotional control required for the fixture. Dowman, currently regarded as one of Europe’s top young talents, has been frequently targeted by opposing defenders, a physical reality Arteta noted he must learn to navigate.
The teenager’s performance drew reactions from former professionals. Paul Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, defended the youngster, stating, “You have to remember he is 16 years of age – he’s a kid.” Merson suggested that while the frustration was evident due to a challenging game, he felt Arteta’s public reaction was unnecessary, noting that the manager might treat an experienced international player differently. If it’s an experienced international, I don’t think he does that. People are going to try to kick you at times, and that’s what happened, and you have to know as a good player.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, providing analysis on 5 Live, maintained that the red card was justified given the circumstances. “It was on the far side of the pitch, but from what we saw, he can’t have any complaints,” Osman said.
He added that while physical challenges were frequent throughout the match, Dowman’s reaction was poor and emphasized that he hopes the young player learns from the experience quickly.
Arsenal’s lineup for this fixture was dictated by significant injury concerns, with key wingers Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, and Noni Madueke all sidelined. This left the door open for Dowman to stake a claim for more regular playing time, having previously scored twice during the team’s victory over Ipswich in the earlier round. For me, I’d put my arm round him.
Ultimately, the night resulted in a missed opportunity for the youth prospect and a humbling exit for the club. As Merson observed, the incident serves as a learning curve for the young winger, though he noted that Dowman is certainly not the first Arsenal player to be dismissed and will not be the last.
