Max Dowman was sent off as Fleetwood Town pulled off one of the biggest League Cup shocks by beating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties

Mikel Arteta has been told he needs to remember that Max Dowman is a young boy following his reaction after the Arsenal star was sent off against Fleetwood Town. The League Two side shocked the reigning Premier League champions in a penalty shootout to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.

However, five minutes from time, Dowman was sent off after kicking out at Harrison Neal. And as the 16-year-old headed to the tunnel, he appeared to feel the wrath of Arteta, who looked less than impressed.

But reacting to Arteta’s reaction, Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff said: "I'm really surprised. Listen, maybe you know it's a bit of naivety, he's a young lad.

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"But he [Arteta] gives him a proper talking to as he goes down the tunnel. Clearly not happy with that ill-discipline. But we do have to remember he's a young boy - he's a kid - in a really high-pressure situation.

"I can't understand Mikel Arteta's reaction. Listen, he probably feels frustrated, he's the manager, he probably feels it's a bit petulant, a bit naive, which is what I think it is. It's not really a full kick, his knee's kind of already in contact with the player, it's almost like a flick out really [after] the meaty challenge. It's frustration from Max Dowman after a bit of a difficult night.

"But when we see the reaction from Mikel Arteta, we have to remember, this is a 16-year-old kid. Yes, he's got an Arsenal shirt on; yes, he's a fantastic talent. He's going to make some mistakes along the way.

"I just felt the reaction, I didn't like it at all. He's obviously given him a little bit going down the tunnel."

On the decision, McAnuff added: "I thought it was harsh. A bit of a tangle, and obviously a coming together. Initially you can see, you know, full-blooded tackle - what we want to see.

"That's a hard tackle but a fair one and it's just a little reaction after and the flare-up maybe catches the referee's eye. But again, for me I don't think Max Dowman, for me it is a red card - his legs are all tangled up, aren't they? It's not a massive kick out.”

While former Arsenal star Paul Merson said: "If they'd have had VAR they might have looked at it again. I feel for the lad.

"He's 16, hasn't had the greatest night, is a bit frustrated and has kicked away. I'd be interested to see what Mikel Arteta said to him when he walked off."

On the defeat, Gunners boss Arteta admitted: "First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for going through to the next round in the manner they've done it.

"A really sad day for us. I cannot fault at all the attitude of the players, I haven't seen anybody not doing what is required at this level but we had so much of the ball, had so many chances, so man shots and if you want the margins to be bigger than going to penalties, you have to capitalise on that. We didn't and football is about that."