Arsenal fans are turning on Mikel Arteta for his reaction to Max Dowman's red card vs Fleetwood

Mikel Arteta's reaction to Max Dowman after he was sent off during Arsenal's Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town has gone viral on social media.

An embarrassing night for the Gunners got off to the worst start when Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave the League Two side a shock lead in the 21st minute. Viktor Gyokeres then scored his first goal of the season just after half-time.

But that wasn't enough to inspire a comeback from Arteta's side, who were beaten 5-3 in a penalty shootout at the Highbury Stadium, marking the first time the reigning Premier League champions have been knocked out of the League Cup by a fourth-tier side.

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Arsenal fans aren't happy with Mikel Arteta's reaction to Max Dowman's red card

Arsenal broke records for all the wrong reasons on Tuesday night as 16-year-old Dowman became the youngest player to be sent off in the Carabao Cup.

Dowman was starting his second game of the season after scoring twice in the last round against Ipswich Town, but his night turned into a disaster when he was shown a straight red card for retaliating to Harrison Neal's dangerous challenge.

The teenager kicked out at Neal, and referee Michael Salisbury immediately gave him his marching orders as a result. As he walked towards Arteta before heading down the tunnel, the Spaniard had a few anger-induced words to say at him - despite the sending off being harsh - and Arsenal fans weren't happy with his decision to chastise the youngster.

"That Arteta stare down and words to Dowman after the red was nasty work. It’s different rules for certain players, wouldn’t do the same to Havertz, can’t even call him out for missing chances in pressers," one fan wrote.

"Arteta way too harsh on Dowman there… that was a horrible tackle on him," a second commented, acknowledging that Dowman was well within his right to be annoyed at the Fleetwood player.

"I can’t believe Mikel Arteta insulted a 16 year old Max Dowman for mistakenly getting a red card against Fleetwood. Unprofessional; the kid needed a hug," another posted.

"Shameful reaction from Arteta towards Dowman btw. No idea why he did that," a fourth agreed.

"Arteta has to apologize to Max Dowman for shouting him down the tunnel," a fifth chimed in.

This is Dowman's first real setback as a professional player since being integrated into the first team last year, and many felt Arteta should have given him the arm-around-the-shoulder treatment - instead of visibly unloading his anger on him.

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What punishment Max Dowman could face after Fleetwood red card

FA rules state that a straight red card for violent conduct normally results in a three-match domestic ban.

That would rule him out of Sunday's trip to Liverpool and potentially their two Premier League clashes after that against Hull City and Newcastle United.

Arsenal could appeal the decision in an attempt to reduce the ban, but it remains to be seen what action they take.

All we know is, Dowman was very unfortunate to be shown a straight red card and perhaps if VAR present - like in England's top flight - Neal would have been sent off or at least cautioned for his reckless tackle on the teenager.