Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that his team were "tired emotionally" during their Champions League group clash with Marseille last night.

The Gunners could have qualified to the last 16 with a win, but the North London club were held to a 0-0 draw.

"It was a game where we were not the sharpest physically," Wenger said. "We lacked a bit of class in the last 30 metres."

Wenger admitted that the club's emphatic 5-3 win over Chelsea on Sunday had taken its toll on his players.

"We were tired emotionally more than physically maybe," he said. "It's difficult to be on a high three days later.

"We wanted to achieve qualification tonight. But in the last two games against Marseille we took four points.

"I'm confident we can qualify top of the group."

Wenger also defended his decision to leave out Robin van Persie, who scored a hat-trick during the Chelsea tie, until the 62nd minute.

"The reason I left Robin out was physical tiredness, that's all.

"It was a gamble. You can say it didn't come off. He had a great chance when he came on.

"I believe you cannot just say that one player always has to make the difference."

Arsenal are currently at the top of Champions League Group F with eight points from four games.