Arsenal will be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for three matches after the striker's three-match ban was upheld by the FA.
The Gunners appealed to have the length of the suspension shortened, after the forward was shown a straight red card in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
But the appeal was dismissed, and the north London side will now be without their top scorer with some crucial games coming up.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the news ahead of Arsenal's clash against Sheffield United.
“It’s been confirmed he will be suspended for three matches," the Gunners head coach told reporters.
"It’s a big shame because we know his intentions but we have to accept it.
"He was very disappointed after the game. He’s been superb under me, working hard, scoring goals and he’s probably been our most important player.
"I hope we can play better and win the games. Players have to step up. It’s time to talk on the pitch and if they show they’re as good or better than him, they have a chance.”
The Gunners skipper will now definitely miss the Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday, and the trip to Chelsea on Tuesday 21 January.
He will also sit out the FA Cup fourth round tie against Bournemouth, before returning for the trip to Burnley on 2 February.
Speaking after the Palace game last weekend, former referee Peter Walton believes Aubameyang's challenge did not merit an automatic red card, but admitted he could see why the decision was made after the VAR review.
"They're looking for the serious foul play nature and whether he has endangered the safety of the opponent. In my opinion looking at it, I don't think he's got enough force behind it to raise it to a red card but it was certainly a yellow card," he told BT Sport.
"They have to look at it in normal speed to get the intensity and it's only done in slow motion to see if there is contact.
"The thought process there from VAR is that the speed and intensity of the play in real speed, you can see clearly he has caught him just above the ankle, and again I'll go back to my opinion and that it was a yellow.
"Having looked at it again and looking at it in the same way that VAR is looking at it, I can understand why a red card would be given because it does endanger the safety of the opponent.
"Personally, I'd like to see him go over to the screen just to see and satisfy himself but clearly he has the respect and trust of Craig Pawson, who is managing the VAR, and has taken his word for it."
