‘I thought I could get the ball’, says sorry Coquelin

Francis Coquelin: Red carded

Francis Coquelin: Red carded

Apologetic Arsenal villain Francis Coquelin thought he “could get the ball” after he was sent off on Saturday.

Arsenal were 1-0 up on Tottenham when the Frenchman lunged in on Harry Kane to earn himself a second yellow and boss Arsene Wenger was not too happy.

Spurs took encouragement from the decision and went 2-1 up in the title showdown, only for Alexis Sanchez to earn Arsenal a point.


Speaking to Arsenal TV, Coquelin said: “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.

“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.”

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