Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits his young players struggled to cope with Stoke's physical approach for yesterday's FA Cup defeat.

Ricardo Fuller scored with a header in each half for Stoke, with Dean Whitehead adding the third. Denilson had given Arsenal hope with a first-half equaliser.

Stoke had beaten Arsenal in the league at the Britannia last season, sparking a war of words with Wenger over the Potteries side's physical style.

And this time Stoke repeated that performance. However, Wenger was more complimentary this time.

He said: "The game was more physical than technical, and physically they were stronger than us in a very simple game.

"We were exposed to a fight, and some of our players were a bit young and could not cope with it.

"I do not regret the side I put out, I did not have much choice. We had 10 injuries and a very difficult programme coming up.

"Our selection was simple, take a look at our schedule and you must see we cannot play the same 11 every time. That is for sure.

"But if you do not win in such situations, it is my fault. I can only stand by the team I selected in the circumstances, we lost but there was not much room for manoeuvre in terms of players available."

He added: "Were they better than us? Let's say they were more dangerous than us. That is a very important factor in winning games.

"They do not give me nightmares, you get no surprises when you play at Stoke. You know what to expect, but as the game went on they looked stronger and stronger in one-on-one battles."