Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been called out for his reaction to Max Dowman being sent-off in the Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.

Arsenal were beaten by the League Two opposition at Highbury Stadium on penalties on a night that will be remembered for producing one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history.

The Gunners played the final five minutes plus stoppage time and then the shootout with a with a one-man disadvantage as Dowman was given his marching orders for appearing to kick out at Harrison Neal.

As Dowman walked off the pitch and down to the tunnel, Arteta lent towards the teenager with his arms crossed and aimed some furious words in his direction.

Angry exchange: Mikel Arteta and Max Dowman

Getty

However, former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes the red card was harsh and that Arteta should have put his arm around Dowman instead of berating him.

“It could easily have been a yellow, but you've got to remember he's 16, he's a kid and he wasn't having the greatest night and he's going to get frustrated,” Merson said on Sky Sports.

"It's an old-fashioned tackle - he gets the ball then the player.

"If that's 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."

Arteta, afterwards, explained his angry reaction to Dowman, stating the pair had a conversation before kick-off which suggests the teenager was told to keep calm under certain situations.

Something that we discussed already before the match,” Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.