The FA has confirmed that Arsenal's bid to have Max Dowman's red card against Fleetwood Town overturned has been unsuccessful. The 16-year-old will now face a three-match ban for violent conduct.
The winger responded to a robust challenge from Harrison Neal by lashing out at the Fleetwood midfielder, earning a straight red card from referee Michael Salisbury in the dying moments of Tuesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round match. Fleetwood went on to win on penalties, securing a quarter-final spot for the first time in the League Two club's history.
Arsenal lodged their appeal on Wednesday, but their case has been thrown out. An FA statement, relayed via The Mirror, read: "An independent Regulatory Commission has dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Max Dowman. The Arsenal player was sent off during their EFL Cup game against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday 27 October and will be suspended for three matches. The Regulatory Commission's written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course."
Dowman will be absent for Arsenal's forthcoming Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United. The suspension means he won't be eligible for a top-flight appearance until November 29, when Arsenal host Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta pulled Dowman aside for a conversation as the 16-year-old left the field at Fleetwood, before reviewing a replay of the incident. Asked about his exchange with Dowman, Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live it was "something that we discussed already before the match." He added: "It's difficult to see on the cameras like that. So I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation."
Dowman's suspension leaves Arsenal stretched for wide options heading into Sunday's away fixture at Liverpool, with Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis all currently sidelined.
Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice were also absent against Fleetwood. Arteta explained that Calafiori was out, Madueke was missing with an ankle issue, and Rice had been struggling with a problem that forced his earlier substitution.
Addressing the cup defeat, Arteta said: "When we create the volume of shots and chances we did, you have to score three, four or five. You capitalise on it. If you don't, there are no margins, and that's the reality. Then you have to wait and get through the round on penalties, and we didn't do that. The probability was low with the way the game was panning out, but it's football and still with low probability, there is always a chance you could be out of the cup."
