The Dutch forward was dropped to give him time to refresh himself after an exhausting 5-3 win over Chelsea.
“It was a bit on the edge … it was a gamble,” Wenger said. “You can say tonight that it didn’t come off.
“Robin was tired, that’s why I left him out. It was down to fatigue. He cannot play 50 games. He had a great chance when he came on and he tried to chip the keeper.
“We have to accept it. You cannot just say one player has to make the difference.”