With some poor results recently, Arsenal have seen their resolve questioned, but Arsène Wenger says the players proved critics wrong on Saturday afternoon.

Taking the lead in a tight north London derby, everything seemed to turn on the side as Francis Coquelin saw red and Spurs snatched an equaliser before going 2-1 up.

Nonetheless, the Gunners dug in and levelled the scores through Alexis Sánchez when all hope seemed lost.

“I believe we have shown great spirit the whole game,” said Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger after the game. A week where the players were criticised for their spirit more than ever after defeats to Manchester United and Swansea City, they showed strength to stay in this north London derby and come away with a point.

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Arsène Wenger’s players finally repaid some of the faith he has shown with their performances on Saturday. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

“I’m proud of the spirit the players have shown even 2-1 down, 10 men away from home we managed to come back with at least a point.

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

There were a number of changes to the side on Saturday afternoon, and Danny Welbeck was incredibly encouraging up front. Mohamed Elneny gave a strong display in the middle of the park and David Ospina made some good saves to keep Arsenal in the game.

“We have seen up front Welbeck and Sánchez (were) much stronger today. At the back Ospina we were composed, Ospina did well and in midfield we did well I think even Elneny for a first game did very well.”