Wenger rues lack of focus

3rd December 2008

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits his young players were taught a lesson by Burnley in the Carling Cup.

Wenger's much-changed and largely teenager-packed side were beaten 2-0 by the Championship outfit at Turf Moor to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.

The Arsenal youngsters earned plaudits after disposing of Premier League Wigan in the previous round and thrashing Sheffield United 6-0 in September, but Wenger admits they still have much to learn.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "When you are not focused from the first minute you don't win this kind of game. We had chances but didn't put them away and at that level you pay for it.

"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."