Wenger: 'We told Coquelin' not to be reckless before red card

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal showed "great spirit" as it fought to claw back a 2-2 draw Saturday against Tottenham, but he has regrets about what could have been.

Arsenal played the majority of the second half with 10 men thanks to midfielder Francis Coquelin, who earned a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Harry Kane.

"I believe we have shown great spirit all of the game and I am proud of the response they have shown, but I have big regrets as we were completely in control until we were down to 10 men," Wenger told BT Sport after the match. "It's difficult to take."

Wenger said he warned the already-cautioned Coquelin at halftime, but his words didn't yield any positive outcome.

The team, however, did respond. Arsenal had lost three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2010, and that raised questions about the players' character.

After Aaron Ramsey gave the Gunners the lead, Tottenham capitalised on the sending-off. Goals from Toby Alderweireld and Kane in quick succession put Spurs on top.

But a late equaliser from Alexis Sanchez came against the run of play, and it was exactly what Arsenal needed.

"When you don't win the games you have to accept that and you have to respond and that's what we did today," the Frenchman said. "We have just to win our games because we lost two and got a draw today, but we want to come back and win our games."

Arsenal, on 52 points, remains a game behind Tottenham and five points behind Leicester City.