Arsenal’s defeat by Fleetwood has split supporters writing in, with opinion divided over Max Dowman’s red card and Mikel Arteta’s handling of the 16-year-old. Several readers also argue the squad lacks a reliable centre-forward, with Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz both criticised. According to Football365.com.
Dowman red card and striker doubts dominate Arsenal fans’ Fleetwood fallout
The sharpest disagreement concerns Max Dowman‘s red card and Arteta’s reaction to it. One reader argues the manager was wrong to berate a 16-year-old. Another, signing off as Ben, believes Arteta took the right approach because lashing out cannot be tolerated, while a third calls the manager’s behaviour a terrible look.
Those defending the teenager point to the provocation. One mail says he retaliated after two over-the-top Fleetwood challenges and asks why the bigger opponents who squared up to a boy of 16 escape comment. Strevs thinks the referee was harsh, noting that Palmer received only a yellow card recently for a similar incident.
Ben nonetheless accepts Arsenal deserved to lose, calling the night a significant learning curve for player and manager alike. Strevs says the team had all the possession and chances but lacked quality in the centre-forward position, so fielding two simply meant two weak finishers missing opportunities instead of one.
Gyokeres draws the heaviest criticism. Strevs calls him a “clogger”, saying he is static, gets drawn into battles with defenders and lacks intelligent movement. The reader recalls former Brighton team-mates doubting his touch was good enough for the top level of the Premier League, and says that after a season and a bit it is not kneejerk to agree.
Havertz does not escape either. The same reader says he is usually much better than Gyokeres but looks well below his best this year, and was terrible on the night. The conclusion is that Arsenal need star quality up front, although the writer admits to having no idea who that should be.
Rival supporters are less sympathetic. Andy H of Swansea sees the result as a reminder of Arteta’s Arsenal enjoying a bit of “trophy dodging”. Strevs, for his part, says the League Cup hates Arsenal and the feeling is mutual.
