Arsenal U18 coach Jack Wilshere defended his players after their FA Youth Cup thrashing at Liverpool.

Last season's finalists were thumped 7-1 on Merseyside on Saturday.

Wilshere told the club's website, "It was a tough night, a real tough night. Ultimately, I believe they were better than us, and that's the harsh reality. I need to review the match to pinpoint where and when they outperformed us because I feel, at times, we had decent spells in the game.

"We have to remember that we are in development football, and these players are not yet the finished product. They still have learning to do.

“However, my job is to lift them, regroup on Monday, and continue their development. We face Leicester on Saturday, followed by a quarter-final in the Premier League Cup against Manchester United the week after."

He said added, "We have to learn from it and communicate clearly to the players that there are lessons to be learned. However, we cannot allow it to overshadow all the good work we've done so far this season.

"Last year, we were down a few times in the Youth Cup, but we found a way. Tonight, I thought we started the second half quite well, and at 1-1, we had a big chance to go 2-1 up. Those are pivotal moments."