Wenger: 'We had no pace in our game'

It was a very frustrating performance on Saturday. We had no pace in our game. We were flat, we lacked energy and we lacked sharpness.

I felt we started OK but after that our game became flat and it is difficult to identify one special reason why we played poorly.

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 that was not the main reason. I feel it was more down to our poor offensive performance.

We did have 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.

We are now seven points behind and now is the time just to focus on our performance, not on Manchester United. Before we can even speak about the title, I believe we have to come back to a good level. That is our first concern.

It was a difficult decision to start Cesc Fabregas on the bench on Saturday. I believe he is over his injury and on Saturday he was fit, but he has had a few setbacks of course, so we did not know completely if he could play 90 minutes. He will take it step-by-step to get completely back to his best, to be 'free' in his head and not concerned about the injury.

Our next game is on Sunday at Blackpool and we must show we have the mental strength to deal with recent disappointments. You cannot worry about yesterday and lose the targets you have in front of you.