Published: 29 October, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger blasted his young guns on Tuesday after they were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by Sheffield Wednesday. 

The Gunners were left stunned as they suffered their biggest defeat to a lower league side in 56 years. They were sunk by goals from Ross Wallace, Lucas Joao and Sam Hutchinson that inflicted a 3-0 defeat at Hillsborough. 

Wenger was quick to praise the Championship side for their victory – but also delivered a scathing assessment of his young players

“We were not at the level that is required to play a team of the quality of Sheffield Wednesday,” he said. “In the end we have to congratulate them.

“They were sharper, quicker, and more decisive than us. 

“We had a lot of the ball but we didn’t create anything, especially in the middle of the park.” 

The Arsenal boss is facing an anxious 48-hour wait to find out just what damage was done during the cup defeat, admitting afterwards that he “used too many senior players” on the night. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain limped off after only five minutes with a hamstring strain – while his replacement, Theo Walcott, only lasted 14 minutes before suffering a calf complaint. 

“They are two muscular injuries, and the damage I do not know yet. You have to wait 48 hours for the scans to see how big the damage is,” Wenger said. “We are short now with these injuries. I think I maybe played too many experienced players.”