Arsenal dealt major blow as Max Dowman red card appeal verdict issued

Gunners’ young star was dismissed controversially against Fleetwood

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow after their appeal over Max Dowman’s red card was dismissed.

The young winger was sent off in the Carabao Cup clash against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, as the Gunners were stunned at the Highbury Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s men were beaten on penalties by their League Two opponents, who had taken a shock lead in the first half through striker Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who put the fourth-tier hosts ahead against the odds.

Sent off: Max Dowman

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Viktor Gyokeres bundled in an equaliser for the wasteful Premier League champions, who were dragged to spot-kicks by their lower-league rivals, and Bruno Guimarares missed the crucial penalty as the top-flight outfit were dumped out.

That wasn’t before a major point of contention in the second half, when forward Dowman was entangled in a brawl with Harrison Neal tight to the touchline.

The youngster seemed to kick out at the Fleetwood man, and as such, was given his marching orders by referee Michael Salisbury.

Arsenal were incensed at the decision to send Dowman off, and as such, appealed the suspension that the England youth international had been handed.

However, on Thursday, the Gunners learned that their appeal had been unsuccessful, with the FA Spokesperson releasing a statement on social media to confirm the verdict, and that Dowman would indeed serve a three-game ban.

The commission’s reasoning is set to be published “in due course”.