Arsenal’s appeal against Max Dowman’s red card and three-match suspension has been rejected, meaning the 16-year-old will miss the Premier League games against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United.
An independent Football Association commission dismissed the club’s claims of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment. The FA said its written reasons would be published later.
Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Fleetwood Town after reacting to a heavy challenge from Harrison Neal. Arsenal appealed on Wednesday, but the dismissal and ban will stand.
Dowman to miss three domestic games
The suspension rules Dowman out of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, Arsenal’s home match against Hull City and their away game at Newcastle. Because the ban applies to domestic fixtures, he remains available for Arsenal’s Champions League match against Slavia Prague on 4 November.
The teenager is due to return to domestic action when Arsenal host Manchester City on 29 November. His second red card this month, after an earlier dismissal while playing for England Under-19s, adds to the attention surrounding his recent disciplinary record.
The incident happened late in a difficult night for Arsenal. After a 1-1 draw, Fleetwood won the shootout 5-3 to knock the Premier League champions out of the competition. Arsenal had made nine changes, but brought on captain Martin Ødegaard at half-time and Viktor Gyökeres equalised soon afterwards.
Debate over Dowman’s reaction
Dowman was shown a straight red for violent conduct after making contact with Neal. The decision followed a heavy challenge by the Fleetwood midfielder, but the FA commission rejected Arsenal’s argument that the dismissal was wrongful.
Mikel Arteta had warned his players before the match to manage their emotions, saying the team had discussed what to expect. He looked angry as Dowman left the pitch and later said the players had been clear about the need to control their reactions.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson urged people to remember Dowman is only 16. He said frustration may have played a part and felt Arteta could have responded more sympathetically as the youngster walked off.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman took a different view, saying Dowman’s reaction was poor and that he would need to learn how opponents might target him with physical challenges.
Arsenal’s options are stretched before Liverpool
Dowman’s absence comes as Arsenal face concerns over their wide players. Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis and Noni Madueke have been unavailable through injury, leaving Arteta with fewer options ahead of Sunday’s match at Anfield.
The Fleetwood defeat was also a major upset: the League Two side held Arsenal to a draw before progressing on penalties. It was another setback in the Carabao Cup for a club that has not won the competition since 1993.
For Dowman, the immediate consequence is a three-game domestic suspension. The FA commission’s written explanation has yet to be published, while Arsenal must now prepare for Liverpool without the young winger.
