Arteta says Arsenal will hold Dowman to first-team standards

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club will hold 16-year-old Max Dowman to the same standards as other first-team players after the Football Association rejected Arsenal’s appeal against his red card and three-match suspension. Dowman was sent off late in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town after reacting to a challenge by Harrison Neal. Arsenal lost the match on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The FA upheld both the dismissal and the punishment, leaving Dowman suspended for three matches. Speaking on Friday, Arteta said he had warned Dowman before the Fleetwood match about dealing with provocation. He said the two spoke the following day and that there were no issues between them. Arteta defended his reaction as Dowman left the pitch, saying it should be understood in the context of their relationship and their pre-match conversation. Arteta said Arsenal takes care to protect the teenager, but that Dowman must earn his place like every other player. He said treating him differently because of his age would be unfair to teammates and described the demands of first-team football as requiring players to handle pressure and difficult moments. The manager said...