Steve McClaren: 'Aleksandar Mitrovic red card was harsh'

Steve McClaren has described the red card that was shown to Aleksandar Mitrovic early in Newcastle United's defeat to Arsenal as "harsh".

The Serbia international was dismissed just 16 minutes into the fixture at St James' Park, which ended in a 1-0 loss for the home side, for a challenge on Francis Coquelin.

The manager told BT Sport: "It was a harsh red card. It was more clumsy and he stood on his foot. I just felt early on there were too many yellows and it was a rod for the referee's back.

"Our boys are young and innocent, they don't fall down easy, we felt we were a victim to that. All we could do is show spirit and fight and they were magnificent. What a crowd as well."

Newcastle are yet to win in the league this season.