Arsenal star Max Dowman, who was born in Chelmsford and played for Billericay Town FC, will serve a three-match suspension after an independent commission rejected claims that he had been wrongly sent off and that the punishment was excessive.

The 16-year-old was shown a red card during the Gunners' EFL Cup clash with Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, October 27.

Dowman was dismissed in the 85th minute after kicking out at Harrison Neal following a tackle. Arsenal eventually lost the game on penalties after a 1-1 draw.  

Punishment - Dowman will serve a three-match suspension after a red card (Image: John Walton)

The north London club challenged both the dismissal and resulting punishment, but the Football Association confirmed on Thursday that Arsenal's claims had been dismissed.

The FA said: “The Arsenal player was sent off during their EFL Cup game against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday 27 October and will be suspended for three matches.”

The decision means Dowman will miss Arsenal's next three Premier League matches against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United.

However, the domestic suspension does not rule him out of European competition, meaning he remains eligible for the Champions League game against Slavia Prague on November 4.

He can return to Premier League action against Manchester City on November 29.

The setback comes during what has already been an extraordinary rise for the Essex-born teenager.

Max Dowman, who was born in Chelmsford, has received high praise from one of football's all time greats (Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

Dowman was born in Chelmsford in 2009 and began his football journey with Essex club Billericay Town FC before entering the Arsenal academy system as a young child.

He was already playing for Arsenal's under-18s at just 13 and later became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history.

His rapid rise continued when he made his Premier League debut against Leeds United in August 2025 aged only 15 years and 235 days, making him the competition's second-youngest player at the time.

Dowman then made more history in March this year when he scored against Everton aged 16 years and 73 days, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Despite his age, the attacking midfielder and winger has become part of Mikel Arteta's first-team plans while also representing England at youth level.