Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal’s “extremely difficult” four weeks resulted in their disappointing display at home to Burnley.
The Gunners missed a beat in their race for a top four finish, after they were held by the rock bottom Clarets.
Arsenal were looking for a victory which would have seen them move back into the Champions League spots at the expense of Manchester United, but fluffed their lines on a frustrating afternoon.
It was Arsenal’s first Premier League fixture since January 1 having seen the North London Derby with Tottenham postponed after their request to the Premier League was granted.
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But the extra rest hasn’t helped, with the Gunners crashing out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, failing to score now in their last four games in all competitions.
Alexandre Lacazette had the hosts’ best chance, but failed to hit the target after an Emile Smith Rowe cutback.
Nick Pope also denied Smith Rowe and Odegaard in the second half as Burnley avoided a fourth straight Premier League defeat.
A small section of the frustrated home support booed off the Gunners, who finish the month of January without a win.
Speaking after the game, Arteta pointed to several reasons behind their no-show, suggesting they looked leggy after their exertions vs Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Thursday.
“We started slow, we looked leggy and didn't have enough rhythm or intention to attack the way we wanted,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “We started to play better, more rhythm and threat and came out in the second half completely different.
"We tried in every different way but lacked the quality in the final third. At the end, when we have a really low block, you need spark and creativity to win football matches and today we didn't do that.
"It is what they do, they want to play a slow game, it takes long, it is their game and you have to respect that.
"We need to start scoring goals and get back the players, the last four weeks it has been extremely difficult to put training sessions and squads together because of the amount of Covid and injuries."
Arsenal now have an 18-day break before they take on Wolves at Molineux on February 10, meaning by the time they next take the pitch their transfer window business will have concluded.
Reports continue to link the Gunners with a move for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, who is being earmarked as a potential replacement for ex-skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But Arteta hinted it could prove difficult to make any marquee moves between now and next Monday’s deadline, adding: "In this market things are complicated."
