Rob Holding has insisted that Arsenal believed that their second string team were capable of getting the job done against Southampton, following their 2-0 loss to the Saints in an EFL Cup quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.
The Gunners, who headed into the clash at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions, rested several first team stars for the cup clash against Southampton.
First half strikes from Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand put an end to Arsenal’s 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions and ousted Arsene Wenger’s team out of the EFL Cup.
And Holding, who explained that Arsenal were confident about faring well against Southampton, despite fielding a depleted side, expressed his disappointment after missing out on a chance to win a trophy.
"You look at the players we had out tonight, there were some big players and you think with the strength of the squad, a second string team can get all the way – but it wasn’t to be”, he told Arsenal Player.
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"It was a chance to get some silverware at the end of the season, so I’m disappointed to be out of the competition. There’s not much more I can say really.
"We've just got to learn from it and it’ll only help us in the coming years."
Arsenal, who are presently fourth in the Premier League table with 28 points from 13 games, three adrift of leaders Chelsea, will next face West Ham United on Saturday.
