Arsene Wenger believes that David Luiz used "excessive force" in the tackle that saw him receive a straight red card in the closing moments of Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Chelsea.

The Blues centre-back was given his marching orders in the 87th minute of an intense clash at Stamford Bridge when he lunged at Gunners defender Sead Kolasinac.

"It was excessive force, yes," said Wenger. "I think even Luiz will accept he went on too so strong."

The fiery end came after an absorbing clash in west London in which the Gunners earned a deserved point.

The incident came in the 87th minute (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Conte was not happy with the decision (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Luiz was sent off with three minutes remaining (
Image:
REX/Shutterstock)

Aaron Ramsey went closest for the visitors when he hit the post in the first half, as the Gunners ended a five-match losing streak at Stamford Bridge.

And Wenger said that he was pleased with the focus that his side showed.

"It was about mentality and a response from our last away game. We could have won it. It was an intense game," he continued.

Kolasinac lies injured on the floor (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

"The battle was total. We are not in a transfer period and on the day we played Liverpool that affected us. We are all human beings.

"If you play 55 games a season you can have a bad performance.

"But we were focused and determined. We tried to play when we had the ball and we were close to winning the game. With a bit more freedom we would have won the game.

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