Arsenal’s appeal against the red card shown to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their draw with Crystal Palace was unsuccessful. The forward was sent off at Selhurst Park on Saturday for a late challenge on Max Meyer.
The 30-year-old was initially shown a yellow card, but the caution was upgraded to a red following VAR intervention. After the game, Mikel Arteta told talkSPORT he had ‘no complaints’ with the decision after seeing replays.
Arsenal, though, felt that a three game punishment was excessive and appealed to the FA to try and get it reduced or overturned.
They reportedly felt a number of similar challenges in the Premier League were not punished by red cards, including Andy Robertson’s tackle on Japhet Tanganga just a few hours later in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Tottenham.
That appeal has been dismissed, though, and the Gabon striker will miss the home game against Sheffield United followed by the two away matches at Chelsea and Bournemouth.
Sead Kolasinac will also be unavailable for the Blades clash at the Emirates due to a thigh strain while Hector Bellerin is being assessed before the match due to a tight right hamstring.
Kieran Tierney is aiming to return to full training in March as he recovers from a dislocated right shoulder.
The only other long term absentee is Calum Chambers, who is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
