Dermot Gallagher: Arsenal's Max Dowman Red Card Appeal Will Fail
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Arsenal's appeal against Max Dowman's red card in their Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town will fail. Dowman was sent off for violent conduct after kicking out at Harrison Neal, and Arsenal must submit appeal documents by 1pm on Thursday.
- Match: Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal, Carabao Cup fourth round
- Result: Fleetwood Town won on penalties after 1-1 draw
- Red card: Max Dowman (Arsenal) for violent conduct
- Appeal deadline: 1pm Thursday
- Next match: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Sunday, live on Sky Sports
What was said
"I don't, because of the aggressiveness of Dowman, and you can see the intent. I think it will fail."
"I think it is [a red card]. People are comparing it to Cole Palmer on Saturday (with Mateus Fernandes), I think Dowman is a little bit more aggressive."
"He knows what he's doing. He almost brings his knee up in a kicking action."
"Although Neal gets the ball, he's too aggressive. It's a reckless challenge and he's had little regard to the safety of Dowman. Neal is not bothered whether he catches him afterwards. He was always going to get Dowman. He knows when he makes that tackle what he's going to do. That's enough for a free-kick and a yellow card."
"The tackle from the lad is an old-fashioned tackle. He gets the ball, follows through at the same time. In a way, I would say, it's a great tackle. And then Dowman's retaliating. His foot's got caught. I don't think it's as bad as what everybody says. I think the reaction of the players has sort of made his decision. It's not that bad. In my opinion, it wasn't a red card. I don't think it should have been given."
"The kid's 16 years of age. Let's not get away from it. My worry is that at Arsenal, and when you play for one of the big clubs, which I found out later in my career, you get told once or twice, and that is it. And he's been told again. Obviously, Arteta's told him. He got sent off the other week for England against the USA. He's going to get that for the whole of his career. He's going to be kicked. People are going to look at the game now, and they're going to go, 'Right, we've got to upset him. Try and get inside him. Try and upset him'. And he's got to be better than that."
"If that's [Viktor] Gyokeres, who's an experienced international, he [Arteta] isn't doing that - but he does that to a 16-year-old kid? He's not the last person to get sent off for Arsenal, nor the first. If it was me, I'd have put my arm around him. It's still 1-1, they're still in the game. We all say things in life we wish we hadn't and if he [Arteta] could have that back, he'd do it differently."
"I can't understand the reaction. Arteta probably feels it was petulant, naive which I think it is. It is frustration from Dowman, but when you see the reaction from Arteta... we have to remember he's 16. Yes, he's a fantastic talent, but he will make mistakes along the way. I didn't like the reaction at all."
"It was something that we discussed before the game."
"We knew when we prepared the context of the match, we were very clear on the things to expect, the things that emotionally we have to dominate."
Gallagher's verdict is unequivocal: Dowman's action was not a mere reaction but a deliberate kick, and the aggression and intent make the red card a straightforward call. He also insists that Neal should have been penalised, adding a layer of controversy to the incident.
Merson and McAnuff, meanwhile, focus on the human element. They question Arteta's public admonishment of a 16-year-old and warn that Dowman must learn to handle provocation because opponents will target him for years to come.
Why Arteta must protect Dowman from the inevitable
Max Dowman is 16. That single fact should dictate how Arsenal handle this. Paul Merson is right: the teenager will face provocation for the rest of his career. But the manager's job is to shield him, not to scold him in front of the cameras. Mikel Arteta admitted he said something discussed pre-match, but his refusal to elaborate left it hanging.
On the pitch, Arsenal lost control of the tie after the red card. Fleetwood Town, a League Two side, held on for penalties and dumped Arsenal out. The focus now shifts to the appeal. Gallagher expects it to fail, and the footage of Dowman's kick supports that view. Arsenal would be better served preparing for Liverpool without him.
Dowman's previous dismissal for England against the USA is a warning sign. He must learn to channel his frustration. Arteta's reaction, criticised by Merson and McAnuff, could undermine the player's confidence. The best managers know when to put an arm around a youngster; Arteta missed that chance.
Talking points
- Should Arteta have publicly criticised Dowman, or was his reaction a necessary lesson for a talented but naive teenager?
- Gallagher says the appeal will fail, but Merson insists it wasn't a red card. Who is right?
- Harrison Neal's challenge was reckless, yet he escaped punishment. Does that justify Dowman's retaliation?
- Dowman is 16 and already attracting attention. Will Arsenal's handling of this incident define his development?
What happens next
Arsenal must submit their appeal documents by 1pm on Thursday, hoping for a decision before Sunday's trip to Liverpool. If the appeal fails, Dowman will be suspended, leaving Arteta to reshuffle his attack. The match at Anfield, live on Sky Sports, is a crucial test of Arsenal's title credentials.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Max Dowman sent off for Arsenal?
Dowman was sent off for violent conduct after kicking out at Harrison Neal following the defender's strong challenge late in the Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town.
Will Arsenal's appeal against Dowman's red card succeed?
Dermot Gallagher believes it will fail because of the aggressiveness and intent shown by Dowman. Arsenal are hopeful of a decision before Sunday's match at Liverpool.
What did Mikel Arteta say to Dowman after the red card?
Arteta said it was "something that we discussed before the game" but refused to elaborate further when pressed.
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