The Tottenham Hotspur boss discussed Jan Vertonghen’s red card and praised Juan Foyth’s display

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino felt Jan Vertonghen was a little bit unlucky to get a red card during Sunday’s disappointing 4-2 defeat away to Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur were second best for much of the contest at Emirates Stadium and a brace by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plus goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira gave the Gunners bragging rights.

Vertonghen had an afternoon to forget after giving away an early penalty and earning a second yellow late on when he caught substitute Lacazette in the follow through of a tackle where he won the ball.

Pochettino said: “I think it was a little bit unlucky the situation. The action he touched the ball.

“Then it was impossible, when you run to the ball how do you stop the run? You want to touch the ball and it was so quick how Lacazette arrived.

“Of course it was a dangerous action. Nothing to complain, for me it was unlucky in that situation, but of course in that moment in life on the pitch maybe it’s a sending off or a yellow card or red card.

“It’s how the referee assesses it. Of course it was dangerous, but it was a little bit unlucky because he touched the ball first.”

With Vertonghen out through suspension, Juan Foyth will get another opportunity on Wednesday when Southampton visit Wembley Stadium.

The young Argentina international had an encouraging first half against Arsenal, but struggled following the restart and gave the ball away in the build-up to Lacazette’s crucial third goal.

He will most likely partner Toby Alderweireld at the back against the Saints and boss Pochettino launched a passionate defence of the 20-year-old on Sunday.

Spurs’ manager added: “How many players in our half of the pitch have missed the pass? A lot.

“Then there’s 50 metres until you arrive at the goal. Because he’s young, it’s easy to blame him.

“But for me Juan was one of the best players on the pitch. If we put this pass that wasn’t good in that action out of the 90 minutes, he was by far the best, by far.”

Additional reporting by Layth Yousif.