Response was all we give - Wenger

Arsene Wenger said Francis Coquelin’s red card against Tottenham left him with “big regrets” but praised his players’ spirit after fighting back for a 2-2 draw in the North London derby.

Arsenal were 1-0 up after Aaron Ramsey’s first-half goal, but the game changed completely when Coquelin drew a second booking for an ill-advised foul on Harry Kane in the 55th minute.

Spurs responded with two quick goals to take the lead, but Alexis Sanchez equalised with his first Premier League goal since October.

“I’m proud of the spirit the players have shown and the response. Even 2-1 down with 10 men away from home, we managed to come back with at least a point,” Wenger told BT Sport.

“But we have big regrets because it looked like we were completely in control when we went down to 10 men, and that’s the regret of the day. Overall it’s difficult to take.”

Coquelin had earned his first booking with a deliberate handball shortly before the half-hour mark, and Wenger said he had warned the holding midfielder at the break.

“We told him at half-time, because he had a yellow already,” Wenger said. “It was a mistake and he knows that but he wanted to do well.”

The result leaves Arsenal still three points behind Tottenham and five behind leaders Leicester ahead of their game against Watford, but it halted a three-game losing streak in all competitions, and prevented a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time since 2002.

Wenger said his team responded well to the criticism they have faced after the league losses to Manchester United and Swansea.

“Personally I never questioned the character of this team, but when you don’t win the games and you lose you have to accept that and respond on the pitch,” Wenger said. “That’s all you can do and I think we did that today.”