Thursday 4 December 2008

"We lacked intelligence against Burnley"


Arsenal manager tried to explain what went wrong in Carling Cup game.

Arsene Wenger was left frustrated last night as his young Gunners crashed out of the Carling Cup 2-0 to Championship side Burnley. Now the Frenchman has highlighted what he though is side's problems were.

After 6-0 and 3-0 thrashings of Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic, respectively, Wenger's youngsters came up last night against a side who wanted to win it more than they did. The likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere weren't lacking in the skill department, the problem was in their heads, according to Wenger.

"When you are not focused from the first minute, you don't win this kind of game,” he told Arsenal TV Online.

“We had chances but didn't put them away and at that level you pay for it."

And Wenger believes that his team of youngsters could have gone all the way in the competition, if they had only been prepared to focus properly.

"We had the quality to win this competition, but you have to make the maximum of what you have. You have to mix intelligence and experience.

“We did not have the experience but could have made up for that with intelligence."

Arsenal were the third Premier League team that Burnley have beaten in the Carling Cup. Owen Coyle's men recorded victories over Fulham at home and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in previous rounds and could now be looking at a fantatstic day out at Wembley should their form hold.

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