Wenger slams team after draw against Blackburn

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie during their EPL match against Blackburn Rovers in London on Saturday. PIC/AFP

The Gunners boss was lost to explain the team's "flat performance with a lack of energy" in Saturday's hugely frustrating goalless draw against 10-man Blackburn at Emirates Stadium.

It was, though, a familiar below-par display which led to a third consecutive draw and allowed Manchester United to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points after they had come from behind to win at West Ham earlier in the day.

Wenger, however, challenged the squad to show the necessary character not to allow the bitter disappointments of a spell which saw Carling Cup final failure at Wembley swiftly followed by European exit and FA Cup defeat at United to hang over them for the remainder of a campaign which again promised so much. "You cannot worry about yesterday and lose the targets you have in front of you."

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