Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has cited fatigue as the main reason behind his side's below-par performance following a goalless draw with Aston Villa.
The Gunners failed to create chances against a determined Villa side as they struggle to keep pace with the top four - this point leaving them four short of Chelsea in fourth.
The midweek victory over Montpellier appeared to take its toll on the Londoners as Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen were all rested for the clash.
Wenger felt that their midweek fixture had a part to play in their inability to break down the resolute opposition, but refused to criticize his side in spite of the performance.
"No [complaints] because we tried, we had the right attitude, we lacked a little bit of fluency and accuracy in the final third," he told BBC Sport. "We couldn't create chances and when we had the opportunity to be dangerous, we didn't use them well. But I think it's down to fatigue and we had not completely recovered from Wednesday night."
Arsenal has now scored just one goal in its last three away Premier League games, a barren run that confuses Wenger given the side's goalscoring form at the Emirates Stadium.
"It's true. I don't really know why because we have a very offensive team, we have three offensive players in midfield. We have three strikers basically," the French coach continued. "It can happen, it happened before and, in the Premier League, it's different away from home."
