Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has blamed low "energy levels" after his side were held to a goalless draw by Premier League newcomers Middlesbrough at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners had been in fine form heading into the encounter, winning their last seven matches in all competitions, but could not convert their dominance into goals against Aitor Karanka's side.
"It is a game where you had a lot of possession but there were tired legs and you are prone to counter-attacks," Wenger told reporters at his post-match press conference. "You make it difficult for yourself. 75% possession but you could have lost the game, that is modern football.
"When you are not sharp, you lack creativity in the final third. I must say, we gave everything but we did not have the legs today. The energy levels were a bit down but we were intelligent enough not to lose it. We were exposed at times. When you cannot win, you must not lose.
"We tried. You don't win on command though. We lacked our creative potential around the box. That is part of it."
The point took Wenger's side up to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool's encounter with West Bromwich Albion in the late kickoff.
Neil Wilkes
