Arsenal will be without Max Dowman for their next three fixtures after the club's appeal against his Carabao Cup sending-off was officially rejected. The 16-year-old midfielder was issued a straight red card in the 85th minute of Tuesday's cup tie at Fleetwood after reacting to a heavy challenge by Harrison Neal. Although Dowman did not fully kick out at his opponent, his foot did make contact with Neal, prompting the referee to send him off.
Dowman was making his second start of the season in an encounter that saw the Premier League champions eliminated by League Two opposition. The contest ended 1-1 in regulation before Fleetwood secured a 5-3 victory in the penalty shootout. Arsenal lodged an appeal on Wednesday, but the ban was upheld under the laws of the game regarding violent conduct, which applies 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".
The dismissal represents Dowman's second red card this month, having also been sent off while playing for England's Under-19s. As the young winger walked off the pitch, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta directed a scathing look toward him and appeared to make an angry remark. Reflecting on the situation after the final whistle, Arteta stated: "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."
Dowman's upcoming suspension further restricts Arsenal's attacking options, with the Gunners already light out wide because Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, and Noni Madueke are sidelined with injuries. Following their cup defeat, Arteta's side will look to regroup quickly as they return to Premier League action with a match away to Liverpool on Sunday.