Gael Clichy says Arsenal have discovered a new battling spirit this season.

"We know we have the quality to play football," Clichy told Arsenal.com afterwards. "But we know that sometimes the weakness has been to be physical. Everyone can see we have progressed [this season] and still want to progress in that way.

"We showed it again. Last week we played on Wednesday and then on Sunday. There was four days in between. But we fought well and we defended well right from the strikers. Everyone was perfect and we were unlucky to lose two points in the end.

"I can't explain it but it is a new team definitely and a different spirit definitely. Everyone can see it. I am really proud to see the team progress like this. Blackburn played good on Sunday but we were solid so the boss was happy and we were happy too."