It was a frustrating performance because we had no pace in our game. 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.
on the reasons for the poor display...
It is difficult to identify one special thing. I felt we started OK 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.
on the title race...
We have to focus on our performance, not on Man United. Before we speak about the title I believe we have to come back to a good level of performance. Then we can speak about that. But we have to raise our level.
on whether Man United's comeback affected them...
We play eight times behind Man United until the end of the season. I didn't make the schedule. [Man United coming back to beat West Ham] is not an excuse. It is our job to come back to our level.
on leaving too much to do in the title race...
I fear nothing, I am concerned about our performance today. You [the media] project all the consequences but I don't take any consequences, I just say that before we speak about the title we have to focus on our performance level, because it was not good enough today. That is our first concern. After that we can see but our performance was flat, so we have to come back to a better level.
on wasting chances...
We had golden opportunities in the first half and the second half but when you don't take them it is not a coincidence.
on whether the crowd will stick with the team...
That is not our concern, we are responsible for our performances and for our attitude, not for the attitude of anybody else.
on Fabregas starting on the bench...
It was a difficult decision but you could see that he still has some concern. I believe he is over his injury. He got a little setback at the Nou Camp, but before the game he was fit. Today he was fit, but there was some still reluctance in his head, so I decided not to start him.
He has had a few setbacks of course so he did not know completely if he could play 90 minutes. It takes step-by-step to get completely back and be free in his head and not concerned about the injury. He was concerned about having a recurrence.
on going out of so many competitions so quickly...
Football is like that and you have to try to give your best and live with the results. Against Barcelona we went out but we produced the performance we wanted. Today what is of more concern is that we were flat.
on being affected by recent results...
Maybe, but as well that is part of our job and we must have the mental strength to deal with that. You cannot worry about yesterday and lose the targets you have in front of you.
on Samir Nasri's head injury...
He is all right.
Source: Arsenal.com on 2 Apr 11
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