Arsenal youngster Max Dowman will miss three matches after the club’s appeal against his red card in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town was rejected.
Key Highlights
- Arsenal’s appeal against 16-year-old Max Dowman’s red card has been rejected.
- He was sent off for violent conduct in the 85th minute against Fleetwood Town.
- Fleetwood won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to knock Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup.
- It is Dowman’s second red card this month after one for England Under-19s.
- Arsenal face Liverpool away on Sunday, already without Saka, Tzolis and Madueke.
The 16-year-old midfielder was sent off in the 85th minute after reacting to a heavy challenge by Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal during the fourth-round encounter.
Although Dowman did not fully kick out at Neal, his foot made contact with the Fleetwood player, leading to his dismissal for violent conduct.
The match ended 1-1 after regulation time before League Two side Fleetwood secured a famous 5-3 victory in the penalty shootout, eliminating the Premier League champions from the competition.
Arsenal lodged an appeal against the decision on Wednesday, but the attempt to overturn the dismissal was unsuccessful, leaving the teenager facing a three-match suspension.
The incident marked Dowman’s second red card this month, having also been sent off while representing England’s Under-19 team.
Arteta Reacts
His dismissal drew a visibly angry reaction from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who appeared to reprimand the youngster as he walked off the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said the team had discussed the need for players to control their emotions and respect the rules before the encounter.
“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,” the Arsenal manager said.
Read also:
- Arsenal Suffer Shock Carabao Cup Exit After Fleetwood Win On Penalties
- Liverpool Edge Chelsea On Penalties To Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals
- Arsenal Close Gap On Man City With 2-0 Win Over Everton
Under football’s laws, violent conduct occurs when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, whether or not physical contact is made.
Dowman’s suspension comes at an inconvenient time for Arsenal, who are already short of options on the wings because of injuries to Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis and Noni Madueke.
The Gunners will return to Premier League action on Sunday with an away fixture against Liverpool, as Arteta’s side seek to move on from their disappointing Carabao Cup exit.
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