Manchester City has appealed the sending-off of captain Vincent Kompany in the English champions' 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Belgium defender faces a three-match ban after being given a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere in the 76th minute of Sunday's match at Emirates Stadium.
If referee Mike Dean's decision is upheld, Kompany would miss Premier League games against Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, as well as an FA Cup fourth-round match at Crystal Palace or Stoke.
City manager Roberto Mancini says Kompany ''anticipated the opponent and took the ball.''
Mancini is already without a key player in Yaya Toure potentially until mid-February because of the midfielder's involvement in the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
