After Max Dowman was issued with a red card in the League Cup exit to Fleetwood Town, the FA have offered their verdict on the Arsenal teenager's dismissal

Arsenal have seen their appeal against Max Dowman's red card at Fleetwood Town REJECTED by an independent commission and his three-match ban upheld. The 16-year-old was handed his first senior dismissal after he kicked out in retaliation against Fleetwood ace Harrison Neal.

His actions provoked a fracas in the middle of the pitch, before he was eventually shown a straight red card for violent conduction. Arsenal and Fleetwood's tie had to be decided by a penalty shootout, which the Gunners lost after Bruno Guimaraes missed from the penalty spot.

After the match, Mikel Arteta's side appealed against the decision to send him off. The Football Association confirmed on Thursday an independent commission had dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Dowman. The teenager will be suspended for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool as well as their home meeting with Hull and away game against Newcastle either side of the international break.

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In a statement, the FA wrote: "An independent regulatory commission has dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Max Dowman.

"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 regulatory commission's written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course."

When Dowman trudged off the pitch, Arteta was seen exchanging words with the teenager while he was heading down the tunnel. A lip reader has since claimed Arteta said: "Get in the changing room, Max," just after he left the field.

While Arteta looked visibly angry with Dowman's actions, he refused to condemn the teenager in his post-match interview. When asked about the incident, he said: "I haven't seen it [the red-card challenge] back.

"With the camera you can't really see what happens. The decision was made by the referee, and that's it. Even with 10 men, we had three big chances to score."

He also added: "We're not going to discuss that here and now. We know when we prepare the context of the match, we're very clear on what to expect. Emotionally, we have to dominate, but we're very clear."

Arteta was heavily criticised for his frustrated reaction to Dowman's red card. Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said to Sky Sports: "You have to remember he is 16 years of age, he's a kid. He wasn't having the greatest of nights so he's going to get frustrated. He gets the chance every now and then to play for Arsenal.

"He probably feels he should be playing more, he gets the chance tonight, isn't doing too great. It's an old fashioned tackle. If that's Viktor Gyökeres he [Arteta] isn't doing that. That's what I don't like. If it's an experienced international, I don't think he does that. He's a human being."

Dowman's red card has left Arteta short up front heading into this weekend's crucial trip to Liverpool. He is already without the injured Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis for the meeting with Andoni Iraola's improving side.