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

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow after their appeal over Max Dowman’s red card was dismissed. 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 DowmanGettyViktor 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. It read that the independent commission had “dismissed claims of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Max Dowman... [who] will be suspended for three matches.” The commission’s reasoning is set to be published “in due course”.