Arsene Wenger has questioned Arsenal’s focus and urgency following our 2-0 loss at home to Southampton in the EFL Cup.

While some may not mind that we’re out of the league cup, or that we essentially fielded our B team, the performance itself wasn’t exactly encouraging. I’m by no means suggesting that we didn’t rest our regular starting XI but you’d imagine the youngsters would have at least felt they have something to prove.

In the first half, Arsenal were particularly poor, didn’t create much and the visiting Saints were by far the better team, scoring both goals before the break.

Speaking after the match, Wenger’s disappointment was palpable.

“It’s not only a disappointing night because we are out, but it’s a disappointing night because the performance was disappointing,” he said.

“I question our urgency level, our focus from the start on. It was not good enough and we paid for that. Overall, I think that is the most disappointing.

“It can happen that you go out of the competition, but our first 45 minutes were just not good enough and not at the level of required concentration. In the second half we responded well, but overall for me, that’s the most disappointing.”

Although winning the EFL Cup would have been last on our list of goals for the season, it’s a trophy nonetheless and by treating the clash as if they didn’t want to be there, the team implies that they simply don’t care.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the EFL Cup quarter final match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on November 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the EFL Cup quarter final match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on November 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

On the plus side, now all we have to concentrate on is the Champions League, Premiership and, in the new year, the FA Cup. Two of which, we’re in with a genuine shout of winning. I’ll leave you to guess which ones.

Watch Wenger’s other comments in his full post match press conference below.