Laurent Koscielny to miss FA Cup final and serve three-match ban after appeal rejected

The defender was shown a straight red on Sunday for a challenge on Everton's Enner Valencia as Arsenal cruised to a 3-1 win.

Koscielny appealed the decision under the grounds that he felt it was harsh but the FA have rejected this and upheld the initial three-match ban that is given out for a red card that constitutes 'serious foul play'.

Koscielny will now miss the final against Premier League champions Chelsea, and then one or two games of next season's Premier League depending on the result of the final given that the Gunners could have an additional match in the form of the Community Shield should they defeat the Blues.

Arsenal already have defensive problems with Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Paulista both doubts with concussion and a knee injury respectively.

This goes along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs who are also both doubts.