Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Mikel Arteta was unfortunate to receive a red card during his side's 2-0 loss at Napoli.

The Spaniard was dismissed in the second period after picking up a second yellow card, but his coach believes that the latter booking was "harsh".

"He's absolutely convinced that he didn't make a foul and it was very harsh but he already had a yellow card," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.

"It's always difficult in the middle of the park. I felt it was a very harsh second yellow card."

Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon were on target for Napoli, who bowed out of the competition despite defeating Arsenal.