‘Nobody wants to be dribbled past by a 15 or 16-year-old’ – Arteta on the challenge facing Max Dowman

Mikel Arteta is confident Max Dowman can cope with the physical treatment that comes his way, insisting the Arsenal youngster has been dealing with opponents trying to stop him since he was eight years old.

It comes after the 16-year-old was shown a straight red card for reacting to a strong challenge during the game against Fleetwood Town in the Gunners’ Carabao Cup exit.

Arteta criticised the decision not to overturn the red card, insisting Dowman did not deserve to be sent off for the way he responded to what the Arsenal boss described as a dangerous tackle.

But the Gunners manager says Dowman has all the tools he needs to cope with similar situations moving forward.

“Those players, it’s not that they come into the Premier League or La Liga or in France where there are a few cases as well and they learn on the day or the next few months,” Arteta said.

“Those players have experienced that since they were eight-years-old.

“Everybody tries to stop those kinds of players.

“It’s something you’re born with and you become educated in it, the power of the way you’re getting hit or the tricks that all players know and the kids don’t know, you have to handle that better.

“But Max is so used to it because he has it there and in training as well because nobody wants to be dribbled past by a 15-year-old or 16-year-old.”