Lip reader reveals what Mikel Arteta said to 16-year-old Max Dowman after red card

Mikel Arteta told Arsenal teenager Max Dowman to “go into the dressing room, Max” after the 16-year-old was sent off against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, according to lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling.

Dowman had produced a good performance in the last-16 tie before being dismissed in the 86th minute. The young Arsenal player was shown a red card after kicking Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal, prompting a confrontation involving players from both sides.

As Dowman walked past Arteta while leaving the pitch, the Arsenal manager was seen speaking to him. Given Arteta’s apparent anger at the dismissal, it had been expected that he may have directed harsh words at the teenager.

However, Hickling believes the Arsenal manager’s message was more direct and instructive than abusive.

According to Football London, she interpreted Arteta’s words as: “Go into the dressing room, Max.”

The exchange came during a surprise result for Fleetwood Town, who produced a major upset by eliminating Arsenal from the competition.

The League Two side held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw before winning 5-3 on penalties to reach the next stage of the Carabao Cup.