Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has apologised to the club's supporters following his red card in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.
The Gunners led 1-0 when Coquelin brought down Harry Kane to earn himself a second yellow card at White Hart Lane, and the hosts went on to score twice in quick succession shortly afterwards.
Alexis Sanchez did manage to rescue a point for Arsenal in the title clash, but Coquelin admitted that his dismissal changed the course of the game in Tottenham's favour.
"I didn't really see the goal [because I was in the dressing room] but someone came and told me that we scored the second one - it was a relief for me. I did not want us to lose today because at 1-0 I thought we were doing great," he told Arsenal TV.
"A point today is a good point, it is a great result for us. I'm really sorry to all the fans for the red card, I think with 11 against 11 we could have won the game as we were playing really well. This red card changed the game. I'm really sorry to the club, to the team and all the fans.
"I actually thought I could get the ball when I slide tackled [Kane] - that is why I went for it. I touched him and [the referee] gave me the second yellow. But at the end of the day, it's a good point and hopefully it will be an important point for the title."
The draw leaves Arsenal now eight points adrift of leaders Leicester City with nine games remaining.
Barney Corkhill
