Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue apologised for his sending off in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham – and promised to control his temper. But the stubborn Ivorian still blamed referee Mike Dean for his sending off, despite the fury of Arsenal s followers packed

Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue apologised for his sending off in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham - and promised to control his temper.

But the stubborn Ivorian still blamed referee Mike Dean for his sending off, despite the fury of Arsenal's followers packed into the Park Lane stand.

"For me the referee was not good," he said. "I know I have to control myself but I did not want to let Tottenham win. I just wanted to give my best."

Eboue kicked out in retaliation at Luka Modric in the 36th minute to earn a second yellow card - but he said his first booking was unjustified, and claimed his disallowed 13th minute header should have stood.

"It was a goal," said the 25-year-old, whose header was chalked off for a push on Jonathan Woodgate.

"I don't know why he did not give it. The referee said I touched Woodgate but I did not."

And on his first card, for dissent, he added: "For the first yellow card I did not say anything bad."

"I was in front of the ball and I was talking with Manuel Almunia. After that I said [to the referee] you have to whistle before and he said okay. I came back to take my place and then he called me and gave me a yellow card. I don't really understand why."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said his side should have won, despite playing most of the game with ten men.

"I believe we had a resilient, committed attitude ... but it's two points dropped," Wenger said.

"We had the best chances, we scored a regular goal that was cancelled out by an illusionary foul seen only by the referee.

"I've seen it two times and I still do not know why it was disallowed. It's not acceptable in games like that.