Wenger - We had the chances

Gunners boss felt youngsters had the potential to go through

Last updated: 2nd December 2008

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Wenger: Didn't take chances

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Arsene Wenger was left to rue the lack of a clinical edge to his team's play after Arsenal's young guns lost 2-0 at Burnley in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Kevin McDonald showed the Premier League visitors how it was done with a composed finish in each half to send Burnley in to the semi-finals of a cup competition for the first time in 25 years.

But Arsenal created a string of one-on-one chances, with Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner the most culpable in failing to find a way past his compatriot Brian Jensen.

Wenger acknowledged the quality of the Burnley keeper's performance, but also reflected on the failure to convert the clear-cut chances his side created.

Fragile

"We had six one-on-ones with the keeper and we didn't score," Wenger told Sky Sports 1.

"We were a bit fragile at the back as well, but overall we had plenty of chances.

"When you do that against teams in the quarter-final of the cup, if you have six one-on-ones with the keeper and do not score, you have to question the qualification and that is what happened tonight.

"You praise the goalkeeper and question the strikers."

Focus

Arsenal's rookies had demolished Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic in the previous two rounds and Wenger felt his chosen side had the potential to reach the final.

He added: "We had the potential to go through and we lost tonight against the least difficult team of the three we played.

"That is what young players learn. In football it is efficiency and focus from the first minute on and when you don't have the right focus you pay for it.

"They have a lot to learn many of them. The potential is there, and even tonight away from home they didn't hide, they tried to play and we had plenty of chances."