Arsene Wenger said the crowd's reaction to Robin Van Persie on his return to the Emirates was "disappointed love", after the Dutchman scored for his new club Manchester United to give the English Premier League champions a 1-1 draw.
The Dutchman was booed every time he touched the ball, with the loudest cheer coming when Van Persie was booked for a heavy challenge on his former teammate Per Mertesacker.
"A little bit, yes, it is disappointed love," Wenger told reporters after the game. "Because when he was here he didn't get this kind of reception, they loved him. So today it was a bit disappointed love.
The Gunners sprung out of the traps much quicker than United, with Theo Walcott opening the scoring in the second minute.
However, Arsenal failed to make their dominance in the first half count, before Bacary Sagna's needless penalty giveaway just before halftime opened the door for Van Persie to fire home from the penalty spot.
"It was a quality game with a lot of intensity, Wenger added. "I believe we were on top in the first half and it was disappointing to concede the equaliser the way we did.
"Why? Because it put us in a position in the second half where we had to completely open ourselves up and throw everything forward, and sometimes (we did that) more with energy than technique.
"We opened ourselves up for the counter-attacks where we could have lost the game. I feel that equaliser played a big part in this game because it put us in a difficult position.
"Overall I can only praise the players for the effort, the dynamic and the desire we put in. Let's keep it going like that and we will have a chance to be where we want to be."
Sagna was the culprit in conceding that goal, first playing a poor backpass straight to Van Persie, and then trying to atone for his mistake by rashly diving in on the former Arsenal man inside the box.
"No (he didn't tell me what was going through his mind)," Wenger said. "He is very disappointed tonight, he is a boy who gives absolutely everything in every game.
"I think he made a bad pass, that can happen, and maybe after he panicked a little bit and maybe wanted to repair too quickly what he did, but he had time to tackle. He has saved us so many times that unfortunately it happened today (Sunday)."
The point keeps Arsenal in the top-four, one behind third-placed Chelsea and two ahead of Spurs, who are fifth. However, both Tottenham and Chelsea have a game in hand on Arsenal.
Wenger insisted if Arsenal win all of their remaining three games, they would qualify for the Champions League next season.
"(We have) no room for dropping points," he said. "We are in a position where we cannot drop points, we know that.
"If we win our other games it will be enough. I am convinced we will be there but there is no room for dropping points. But the other teams are in the same position."
