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‘We are not in Disneyland’: Arteta warns Dowman of Arsenal’s demands

30 October 2026 at 18:44
  • ‘We have made these mistakes … you can get punished’

  • Dowman lost appeal against red card at Fleetwood

Mikel Arteta has warned Max Dowman that he “is not in Disneyland” and must learn from his red card against Fleetwood after Arsenal’s appeal against his three-match suspension was rejected.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to be sent off in the League Cup on Tuesday as the Premier League champions crashed out to the League Two side Fleetwood. Arteta said he was “very disappointed” that the Football Association rejected the appeal against his red card and felt Dowman was lucky not to suffer a broken foot from “reckless tackles”.

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© Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images

© Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images

© Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

30 October 2026 at 03:01

Bruno Fernandes owes Manchester United a performance, Mathys Tel has arrived at Spurs and Liverpool are improving

Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes held clear-the-air talks this week. Fernandes was an unused substitute against Bournemouth after criticising Carrick’s tactics during the Champions League defeat at Como but it seems the situation has been resolved – for now. Dropping Fernandes did not do United any good against Bournemouth, who ran riot at Old Trafford, and the captain is expected to return to the starting lineup for the trip to Chelsea. If that happens, he owes Carrick a performance. Fernandes has been poor this season and it is time he did his talking on the pitch. Jacob Steinberg

Chelsea v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)

Manchester City v Brighton, Saturday 3pm

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© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

Post your questions for Charlie Nicholas

29 October 2026 at 11:00

Is there anything you would like to ask the former Celtic, Arsenal and Scotland forward?

Ever wanted to ask Charlie Nicholas a question? Well, this is your chance. Whether you want to know about the season he scored 50 goals for Celtic, or the day he scored both goals as Arsenal beat Liverpool in the League Cup final, or his time on Soccer Saturday, let us know.

Nicholas was a true character. Not many footballers can say they have played for Scotland at a World Cup, been on the cover of NME, had one of their transfers announced on the stage of His Majesty’s Theatre on Hogmanay, and turned out for Clyde. Nicholas can. Drop your questions in the form below and we will put them to him.

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© Photograph: ANL/Shutterstock

© Photograph: ANL/Shutterstock

© Photograph: ANL/Shutterstock

‘This isn’t supposed to happen’: giant-slaying Fleetwood revels in fairytale Arsenal win

Fishing town in disbelief the morning after its footballing minnows beat mighty Arsenal on penalties

On a wet and windy night on the north-west coast of England, a League Two side sensationally knocked the Premier League champions out of the Carabao Cup. But this is not just a fairytale story of giant-slaying; Fleetwood Town and Arsenal have an unlikely history that stretches back long before Tuesday night’s game.

Arsenal played at their iconic Highbury stadium until 2006, and Fleetwood’s ground has the same title, being named after Highbury Avenue, the adjoining street.

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© Photograph: Colin McPherson/The Guardian

© Photograph: Colin McPherson/The Guardian

© Photograph: Colin McPherson/The Guardian

Max Dowman’s Fleetwood fracas leaves him, Arsenal and Arteta red-faced

28 October 2026 at 16:16

Teenager was maybe harshly sent off in the Carabao Cup tie but his reaction was a mistake he will learn from, while his manager might also have regrets

Mikel Arteta’s reaction said it all. As Max Dowman trudged towards the touchline after becoming the youngest player sent off in a League Cup match at 16 years and 300 days, the Arsenal manager could not help himself.

Arms folded across his chest like an angry father who has caught his teenage son sneaking in after midnight, Arteta leaned over and aimed a few choice words in Dowman’s direction before the forward headed sheepishly down the tunnel. What he said remains unknown, although that hasn’t stopped the amateur lip-readers speculating on social media. “Get in the changing room. Now,” appears the most likely guess.

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© Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

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