Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking to guide his young Gunners into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. Wenger maintains his side have the quality needed to come good in the end as they look to secure a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup by staying on course for Wembley with victory against Wigan at Emirates Stadium.
"For over two months we have played every three days, and part of that is sometimes you have ups and downs. It is how you respond to that," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"The problem at the moment is that when these kind of things happen, everybody is emphasising the negative sides."
Wenger declared: "I am still quite optimistic, even if disappointed by the results.
"I have no major reason to doubt the team and the players, so even if my disappointment was huge, maybe that is why I am less down than many people because I see all the positive signs which are in my team.
"I am confident on the longer-term, like it is a marathon, that will all come out - keep with us, and keep faith with the team.
"I know their attitude is spot on, I know they have the quality - and we will not always lose games where the opponent only has one shot on goal."
