Morning. Let’s start again with Max Dowman whose three match ban was upheld after Arsenal’s appeal against the red card failed. The club had made the bid on the basis of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment, but the claim was dismissed by an independent regulatory commission who will publish their ‘written reasons’ in due course. Thanks for that. You will already know I think this is too severe. I thought the sending off was harsh, especially with the video evidence that backed the appeal, and for a player to miss three games for what was such a minor reaction to a heavy challenge is really unfair. And I would say that if this were an Arsenal player or not. It’s another example of how we hear about the concept of player protection all the time, but the reality is there have been countless incidents which could have been used to demonstrate there’s a seriousness about that but it never, ever happens. How absurd is it that Max Dowman will serve the same ban as Ryan Shawcross got for snapping Aaron Ramsey’s leg in two? Remember when Dan Smith launched himself at Abou Diaby’s ankle, putting him out of the game for 9 months and causing an injury so severe it plagued the rest of the Frenchman’s career? He didn’t even get a red card that day, so the next time you see Dermot Gallagher pontificating on Sky about how a referee got an obviously wrong decision right, apply that context (he was the ref at the Stadium of Light that day). Football has a problem with actual violent conduct, but chooses to deal with it by trying to make us think performative infractions like Dowman’s are worthy of the same punishment as the acts of real violence. The dangerous tackles, the two-footed leaps (which seem to creeping back into the game a bit, probably because they’re not being punished), pushing an opposition player when they’re in the air, these things are not on the same scale. If what Dowman did is worth of a three game ban, the next time someone goes studs first over the ball into the shins of their opponent, they should get ten games at least. But we know that’s not going to happen. Almost as long as this blog has been going (coming up on 25 years now!), I’ve made the case for there to be a sliding scale of punishment for acts that meet the definition of violent conduct. Some things are just more violent than others, but as long as this blanket punishment of three games regardless of the seriousness of the incident is in place, the more those in charge do the game and the players a disservice. Still, it is what it is now, and Arsenal will have to live without Dowman for the games against Liverpool, Hull City, and the away trip to Newcastle on the far side of the upcoming November Interlull. He could well have been involved at some point this weekend against Liverpool, but now we’re sweating on the fitness of Noni Madueke, with Eberechi Eze the only other option for the left hand side. There are some whispers that Christos Tzolis could be back in contention for Sunday, which would be a very welcome boost, but the forward line looks a bit light for a game of this significance. Tuesday’s game against Fleetwood will live in the memory because of the giant killing aspect, but for two young Academy players, it’s a night that will hopefully be formative. For Dowman, whether you think what he did was worthy of a red card or not, there’s a lesson to learn about how you react. To be quite honest, I think there’s something to like about the way he was prepared to stick up for himself against a grown man who wanted to ‘leave a bit on him’, as they say. The talented players are the ones who get kicked most though, and it’s something he’s going to have to contend with as his career develops. Just ask Bukayo Saka. The two have plenty of time on their hands right now, and I’m sure it will be part of his footballing education. The other player is Marli Salmon who probably should have done better on their goal, but for me is less culpable overall than some of the senior players who didn’t perform at the right level. Arsene Wenger once said: You pay for the education of young players with points. If I play a 20-year old centre back, I know he’ll cost me points during the season and I have to stand up for that. A less talented 28 year old would cost me less points. However, by 23/24 you have a player. Marli Salmon is 17. He didn’t cost us any points. There’s a long way still go in his development, but I’m sure with the coaching staff they’ll go over what happened against Fleetwood and he will learn from it. It is more difficult for young defenders than young attackers too. A mistake at the top end of the pitch, like Dowman scuffing a shot wide from a position he probably ought to score from, doesn’t feel quite as costly as a forward running off a young defender to score the opening goal of the game. But again, it’s all part of the process, every young player makes mistakes, it’s how you then use them to improve that counts, and I’m sure he’ll do that. Right, let’s leave it there for now. The Arsecast is below if you haven’t had a chance to listen yet, and a bit later on we’ll have a preview podcast for you over on Patreon once we’ve heard what Mikel Arteta has had to say at his press conference. Also, our Patreon members get the first chance to order our upcoming limited edition book The 22, that’s happening at 3pm today. If you fancy coming to the launch in London next Friday, there are still some spots left but you have to register here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-22-the-launch-tickets-2003029364750 Until later, have a great Friday folks. The post Dowman ban upheld, football’s rules need to change appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.