Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned 16-year-old Max Dowman that "we are not in Disneyland" after the teen's red card in a League Cup loss, the BBC and the Guardian report. Arteta spoke about the incident in public for the first time on Friday, the BBC reports.

Dowman was sent off late in Tuesday's game after he reacted to a heavy tackle, the BBC reports. Arsenal then lost to League Two side Fleetwood Town on penalties. He became the youngest player ever sent off in the League Cup, the Guardian reports.

Arteta appeared to say a few sharp words to Dowman as he left the field, the outlets report. He said he had warned the teen before the game that he would likely be targeted. "For me, it was the best reaction to be who I am," Arteta said, the BBC reports.

"This is the environment and this is the reality, otherwise we are in Disneyland," Arteta said, the BBC reports. "We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League and this level." He said the club looks after Dowman "so much that you cannot imagine," but added that he "needs to earn the right to play."

Arteta said he spoke with Dowman on Thursday and there were "no issues at all" between them, the BBC reports. He said he was "very disappointed" that the Football Association turned down Arsenal's appeal, the Guardian reports. He felt Dowman was lucky not to break his foot from "reckless tackles," the outlet reports.

Dowman was also sent off this month while playing for England's under-19 team, the outlets report. He will miss Sunday's trip to Liverpool and games against Hull and Newcastle, the Guardian reports.

What we know: Dowman will serve a three-match ban, and Arteta stands by his reaction.
What we don't: How the ban will affect Dowman's role in the first team.