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

The FA Regulation and Discipline committee have rejected Arsenal's appeal against Max Dowman's red card against Fleetwood Town. The 16-year-old was handed his first senior red card after he kicked out in retaliation against Fleetwood ace Harrison Neal.

His actions provoked a fracas in the middle of the pitch between both sets of players, 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 loss after Bruno Guimaraes missed from the penalty spot.

After the match, Arsenal appealed against the decision to send him off. The FA have since rejected their appeal, meaning the decision and his suspension will stand.

Make sure you never miss the latest Arsenal news and opinion by making Football London one of your Google preferred sources

In a statement uploaded to social media, 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, and 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."