Arsenal will lodge an appeal against the dismissal of midfielder Max Dowman following his sending-off during Tuesday's Carabao Cup encounter at Fleetwood Town.
According to BBC Sport, the 16-year-old was issued a straight red card in the 85th minute after responding to a heavy tackle from Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal. While Dowman did not execute a full kicking motion, his foot made contact with Neal during the incident.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with League Two side Fleetwood subsequently prevailing 5-3 on penalties against the Premier League champions. This marked a significant upset, as Fleetwood reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time with their penalty shootout victory.
The dismissal represents Dowman's second red card in October, following his earlier sending-off while playing for England's Under-19 team. As the youngster departed the pitch, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared visibly displeased, directing what seemed to be critical remarks toward the player.
Dowman's rapid rise at Arsenal
The incident comes at a notable moment in Dowman's career trajectory. Earlier in the year, Dowman became the youngest Premier League starter in history at 16 years and 144 days, marking a significant milestone for the academy prospect. His selection for the Fleetwood fixture represented only his second league start of the season, highlighting the trust Arteta has placed in the teenager despite his inexperience.
How did the match unfold?
The Carabao Cup tie was notable for more than just the controversial dismissal. Play was halted for eight minutes during the match after a drone was spotted above the stadium, with referee Michael Salisbury stopping proceedings while police located the operator. Despite Arsenal's numerical disadvantage following Dowman's red card, the match remained level until the penalty shootout decided the outcome.
