Arsenal’s Max Dowman will miss three matches after an appeal against his sending-off during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup loss at Fleetwood was rejected. The 16-year-old made his second start of the season in that game.
Dowman was shown a straight red card in the 85th minute after reacting to a heavy challenge by Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal. Although Dowman did not fully kick out, his foot did make contact with Neal.
The match finished 1-1, before League Two side Fleetwood beat the Premier League champions 5-3 on penalties. Arsenal appealed the dismissal on Wednesday, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
It was Dowman’s second red card this month. He was also sent off while representing England’s Under-19s.
Arteta’s reaction
As Dowman left the field, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave him a scathing look and made what appeared to be an angry comment to the young winger.
Arteta said after the game: “When we prepared the context of the match, we were very clear on the things to respect, the things that emotionally we have to dominate. It was very clear.”
Why he was sent off
Dowman was dismissed for violent conduct. According to the laws of the game, this is when a player “uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball… regardless of whether contact is made”.
Injury problems on the wing
Arsenal were already short of wide options, with Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis and Noni Madueke all currently injured.
Arteta’s side return to Premier League action away to Liverpool on Sunday.