Manager Mikel Arteta said he gave England Under-19 striker Max Dauman a stern warning before the match after he received a red card for retaliating for a dangerous sliding tackle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup against Fleetwood Town. Dauman was sent off on the spot and Arsenal appealed the decision to the FA, which rejected the decision and Dauman was suspended for three games.
"This is not Disneyland," Arteta told Dauman, explaining that a competitive environment at Premier League level demands high standards and responsibility. The coach placed strict demands on young players as well as developing them, stressing that they must earn the right to play through their own actions. Furthermore, he stated that he had a discussion with Dauman just before the match and that, given his playing style and the characteristics that attract opponents, he needed to be frank and convey the club's expectations, while recognizing that similar situations could occur in the future.
The coach said Dauman's gaffe was not the first and similar incidents had happened in the past, and while he said failure was part of growing up, he warned that if it wasn't addressed quickly, it could be costly down the road. He cited a similar experience in the past and emphasized the need to take a strict stance in order to protect young players while maintaining fairness for the entire team.
This series of events served as an example of Arsenal's policy of balancing the development of young players with top-level competitiveness. All eyes will be on Dauman to see if he can contribute to the team again after his suspension period. Arteta reiterated that realistic expectations and strict discipline are essential for players to develop in the competitive environment of the Premier League.