Mikel Arteta FUMES at Max Dowman after Arsenal star, 16, sent off in shock Carabao Cup defeat by Fleetwood as Gunners manager’s angry reaction is caught on camera

Wayne Rooney – Everton vs Birmingham, December 2002

Rooney became the youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League after he saw red in the closing stages of Everton’s Boxing Day clash against Birmingham City.

Aged 17 years and 63 days old at the time, Rooney’s aggression got the better of him as he was dismissed 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Rooney had miscontrolled the ball and responded with a late challenge on Steve Vickers, catching the defender on his ankle.

Everton boss David Moyes suggested Rooney should have been shown a yellow card but Birmingham manager Steve Bruce stated post-match that Vickers had required eight stitches after the incident.

Michael Owen – Liverpool vs Man United, April 1998

An 18-year-old Owen saw red as Liverpool drew 1-1 with rivals Manchester United in the Premier League.

Owen had earlier equalised for Liverpool as the forward cancelled out a Ronny Johnsen opener. The two players were then involved in the incident that saw Owen’s match come to a premature end.

The Liverpool star was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Johnsen, who was ultimately forced off on a stretcher.

Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hit out at Owen post-match over a what he labelled a ‘terrible tackle’.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal vs Wolves, January 2025

The Arsenal youngster was controversially shown a straight red card for a foul on Matt Doherty during a 1-0 victory.

Lewis-Skelly had caught Doherty on his ankle as the Wolves full back looked to break, with Arteta stating post-match that he was ‘absolutely fuming’ at the decision.

Arsenal succeeded in overturning Lewis-Skelly’s three-match ban following an appeal. Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a second time just weeks later.

Lionel Messi – Argentina vs Hungary, August 2005

Messi’s Argentina debut lasted just 47 seconds as the 18-year-old was sent off moments after coming off the bench in a friendly against Hungary.

The Barcelona sensation had barely touched the ball before being pulled back by Hungary’s Vilmos Vanczak.

Messi responded by swinging his arm back, hitting Vanczak in the face. Despite protestations from his Argentina team-mates, Messi was sent off for violent conduct by the referee.