Arsenal lose appeal against Dowman red card in shock Fleetwood defeat

Referee Michael Salisbury shows a red card to Arsenal's Max Dowman (R) during the English League Cup fourth round vs Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium on October 27, 2026. (Darren Staples / AFP)

Arsenal have lost their appeal against Max Dowman's red card in their stunning League Cup loss at Fleetwood after an independent commission ruled against the Premier League champions.

The teenage rising star was sent off for kicking out at Harrison Neal following a strong challenge in the 85th minute of the tie, which the Gunners lost on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal appealed but England's governing Football Association announced Thursday an independent commission had dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Dowman.

The 16-year-old Dowman will now begin an immediate three-game ban for violent conduct, starting with Arsenal's match away to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's men, level on points with league leaders Manchester City, travel to Anfield looking to bounce back from a huge upset, with fourth-tier Fleetwood now set to face another top-flight side in either Everton or Newcastle in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.