Arsenal appeal Vermaelen red

Arsenal have appealed against the red card shown to Thomas Vermaelen in Saturday's Premier League match against West Ham.

The club confirmed their challenge to the decision on Monday evening and the appeal will be heard on Tuesday.

Defender Vermaelen was ordered off shortly before half-time for bringing down Guillermo Franco inside the penalty area. Arsenal were leading 1-0 and went on to win 2-0, with West Ham's Alessandro Diamanti missing the penalty which followed Vermaelen's dismissal.

"The FA has received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen," the FA stated.

"Vermaelen was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity during Arsenal's match against West Ham United on Saturday 20 March.

"A regulatory commission will hear the claim on Tuesday March 23."