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 Football Association announced Thursday that 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 EFL Cup.