Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was lost to explain the team's "flat performance with a lack of energy" in yesterday's goalless draw against 10-man Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium.

"It was a frustrating performance because we had no pace in our game," Wenger said.

"Overall it was a flat performance with a lack of energy level, a lack of sharpness.

"It was quite a big concern to see what we have seen today," he said.

"It is difficult to identify one special thing.

"I felt we started okay and after our game became flat. Very few players looked to have the resources to put the pace up in the game.

"Part of it is down to the fact that Blackburn defended well but I don't put the majority of reasons down to that. I feel it is more down to our poor offensive performance today."

"You cannot worry about yesterday and lose the targets you have in front of you.

"That is part of our job and mental strength as well, to deal with all these things."

Wenger added: "I had not seen most of the players for two weeks and we got them back altogether on Friday morning for the first time, so it was very difficult to predict what would happen.

"Players have come back from international duty and they are not sharp - half of the team has not recovered."