Dowman's Red Card Appeal Rejected - Three-Match Ban Confirmed
Arsenal's appeal against Max Dowman's red card from the Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town has been thrown out, meaning the young winger now faces a three-match suspension.
The Evening Standard reports the verdict was a "huge blow" for the club after Dowman was sent off during Tuesday night's shock loss at League Two opposition (Evening Standard). ESPN confirms that both the red card itself and the resulting suspension were considered by an independent commission, which rejected Arsenal's case and upheld the three-game ban (ESPN). Football.London adds that the FA put out an official statement on the matter after Dowman's dismissal in the League Cup exit (Football.London).
Sky Sports' Dermot Gallagher had already poured cold water on Arsenal's chances before the decision came through, giving his view in Ref Watch that the appeal would fail because Dowman's conduct was "aggressive" (Sky Sports). That proved to be accurate, with Sky Sports later confirming the appeal had indeed failed (Sky Sports). The Guardian goes into a bit more detail, noting the teenager was dismissed for "lashing out" during the defeat, and that the club's objections to both the card and the length of the ban were dismissed (The Guardian). BBC Sport also confirms Dowman will now sit out three matches following the rejected appeal (BBC Sport).
It's a frustrating off-field footnote to what was already a disappointing night in Lancashire, and losing Dowman for three games will be a blow for Arteta given how highly the youngster is regarded. Football.London separately reports that Arteta could already be facing selection headaches for the Liverpool trip, with three players guaranteed absentees and four more doubts, meaning wholesale changes may be required at Anfield regardless of the Dowman situation (Football.London).
For Arsenal supporters, the hope now will be that the senior squad can shrug off the midweek cup setback and refocus fully on the Premier League trip to Liverpool, with Dowman's ban to be served in whichever matches follow once he's available for selection.
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