Arsene Wenger: Arsenal will not throw away Premier League title challenge on the back fo Carling Cup defeat

Arsene Wenger , Arsenal (Getty Images)

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to move on from the disappointment of Sunday’s Carling Cup final defeat and switch the team’s attention to their Premier League campaign.

The Frenchman is eager not to let the desperate defeat affect the rest of what could be an extremely fruitful campaign, with the Gunners still fighting in all three available competitions.

“The Carling Cup is four or five games, but a championship season is 38. We will not throw 38 games away because of one game,” he told Sky Sports.

“I am confident we have the character and this is a good opportunity to show it.

“We have to be proud of our attitude, continue with our belief, pick ourselves up and face the other challenges we have.

“We will face a lot of questions after that mistake, but we have to be strong enough to stand up.

“It is a good opportunity to show that we have the mental strength to respond to the situation.”

Wenger admits that both Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny are both devastated after their lack of communication led to Birmingham City’s winner and they will need some consoling to get over the enormity of their mistake.

“Both of them are destroyed,” added Wenger

“We have to lift them up again and help them. That is what a team is about, that is part of the game.

“It was a lack of communication, determination a little bit as well.

“Like always, when the ball is in no man’s land, someone has to take responsibility and go for it.”