Wenger - We lost our nerve

12 April 2012

Arsene Wenger admitted his young side lost their nerve as the Carling Cup final descended into a mass brawl and Chelsea ran out 2-1 victors.

Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea's Mikel Jon Obi were all sent off in a late fracas, which began when Mikel kicked the ball away at a free-kick after pulling back Toure as Arsenal searching for an equaliser.

Both clubs are likely to face further sanctions from the Football Association and Wenger admitted: "We lost our nerve with seven minutes to go. You must always keep your nerve."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Wenger both raced on to the Millennium Stadium pitch to try to quell the mass brawl which overshadowed an eventful game.

Earlier, Theo Walcott had handed Arsenal an early lead before Didier Drogba plundered a brace to seal a memorable win for Chelsea.

Wenger added: "I'm very disappointed because I don't think it reflected the quality of the game. Both teams went for it in a fair way and I know the media will speak more about that (the brawl) than the quality of the game.

"There were a few punches exchanged, not only from our side, but I know people will keep a piece of the game in their mind."

Mourinho, who saw his side lift the first trophy of the season, put the fisticuffs down to frustration.

He said: "What happened in the last part of the game was a pity. Maybe it was a consequence of some frustration and some players losing emotion.

"Hopefully we can forget these things. Sometimes players lose their emotions. We shouldn't kill them for that, we should try to educate them and that's what I will do with Mikel."

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