Alexis Sanchez rescues Gunners and deny Tottenham Spurs a chance to go top of EPL table after 2-2 draw
Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez (right) celebrates with teammate Hector Bellerin after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in London on Saturday
London: Alexis Sanchez salvaged a point for 10-man Arsenal and denied Tottenham Hotspur the chance to go top of the Premier League after a pulsating north London derby ended in a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez (right) celebrates with teammate Hector Bellerin after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in London on Saturday
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Aaron Ramsey's first-half goal put Arsenal ahead, but the dismissal of Francis Coquelin in the 55th minute shifted the game in Spurs' favour, with Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane scoring the hosts ahead. However, the visitors showed determination to recover through Sanchez's 76th-minute effort to revive their faltering title challenge. The draw left Arsenal five points off the top.
Arsene Wenger saluted his Arsenal stars for answering the critics who questioned their character and Gunners boss was quick to hail their fighting spirit.
'Big regrets'
"I am proud of the spirit, but there are big regrets, going down to 10 men was the big regret and it was hard to take," Wenger said.
Tottenham players Ben Davies (right) and Eric Dier react after the final whistle. Pics/AFP
"We told Coquelin at half-time because he had yellow already but (Tottenham midfielder) Eric Dier deserved a second yellow as well and that could have changed the game. I never questioned the character of the team, when you lose you have to respond on the pitch and we did that."
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was satisfied with his team. "I am pleased. It's true, when it was 2-1 I am little bit disappointed with the result, but we have to be happy we keep the three-point gap to Arsenal."
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