Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed to see Thomas Vermaelen sent off in the 2-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday.
The win at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal go above Manchester United and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League but the Gunners chief's joy at his side’s fine display was tempered a little by the loss of the Belgian who saw red just before half-time after referee Martin Atkinson had adjudged that he had pulled down Guillermo Franco in the area.
Allesandro Diamanti’s resultant penalty was saved by Manuel Almunia and, while Denilson and Cesc Fabregas’s goals earned the points for Arsenal, the Gunners will now face their next game with Birmingham City without Vermaelen, who has excelled in his first year in England.
"I felt it was very harsh," Wenger said of the decision. "We have seen this situation so many times in the game without it being punished at all."
Wenger’s frown turned into a smile when he discussed how his team had overcome the Hammers, who did see plenty if the ball at times.
"I believe we had an outstanding game," the Frenchman also said.
"We played with class and spirit and we kept our nerve when the situation became difficult, so overall we have shown a good attitude, good maturity, and in the important moments in any department we were decisive.
"Everybody adapted very well to the situation and technically I believe we were outstanding today."
On the title race, which now has just two months to run, Wenger added: "We are not under any special pressure because we are beyond expectation.
"We want to win the trophy because we are all conscious we have won nothing yet - the hunger is there, the talent is there and I think the nerves are there.
"All we can do is rely on the other results of the other teams, so the only thing we can do is master our own results.
"We have a good chance to do it this year. It will be exciting, tight and the response we gave today in the second half was very important in future games."