Vermaelen red card appeal rejected

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen must serve a one-match suspension after his appeal against the red card received in Saturday’s victory over West Ham was rejected.

Vermaelen was dismissed in the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium after referee Martin Atkinson judged his foul on Guillermo Franco had prevented a goalscoring opportunity.

The Football Association heard the claim for wrongful dismissal this afternoon but decided Atkinson had made the correct call.

Vermaelen, 24, will now miss Saturday’s trip to Birmingham.