Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen were pleased with a clean sheet, despite a disappointing night against Marseille.
Vermaelen also happy to keep clean sheet against Marseille
Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen were disappointed to have to delay progress to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, but were pleased with a clean sheet against Marseille.
The Gunners were held to an uninspiring stalemate against the French club in Group F, when a win would have guaranteed Arsene Wenger's team a place in the last 16 of Europe with two games to spare.
Wenger was clearly frustrated at the final whistle and Arsenal will be wary of the importance of not just qualifying but also finishing top of the group, as they still carry the scars of making a mess of things and drawing Barcelona in the first knockout round last season.
But Walcott and Vermaelen, who captained the side due to Robin van Persie being rested and only used as a second-half substitute, were keen to point to the positives of a sixth shut-out of the season in the wake of Saturday's thrilling 5-3 Premier League win at Chelsea.
Walcott said: "We were able to keep a clean sheet, but our strikers didn't manage to get it in that net this time.
"But it is a point and looking forward to the weekend now is all we can do."
Strong
He continued. "Saturday did take a lot out of us, but we know what to expect in the Champions League. We play every week now.
"They (Marseille) are a very strong team. We found it quite tough out there as well. But, again, like I said before, we were very strong at the back."
Vermaelen played his first full 90 minutes after returning from injury and proved why he is so highly rated with a composed performance alongside Per Mertesacker at the heart of Arsenal's defence.
He said of the game against Marseille: "Of course it was hard work today. I think they are a good side. They have some good football players on the pitch and we had to work hard to get this point.
"I think, second half, we had moments when we dominated the game and unfortunately we couldn't score."
Of his partnership with Mertesacker, he said: "I think it was OK. The most important thing was we didn't concede a goal. That is what we have to do, that is our job.
"It is good for the team that we had a clean sheet today."
