Wenger's much-changed and largely teenager-packed side were beaten 2-0 by the Championship outfit at Turf Moor to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.

The Arsenal youngsters earned plaudits after disposing of Premier League Wigan in the previous round and thrashing Sheffield United 6-0 in September, but Wenger admits they still have much to learn.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "When you are not focused from the first minute you don't win this kind of game. We had chances but didn't put them away and at that level you pay for it.

"We had the quality to win this competition but you have to make the maximum of what you have. You have to mix intelligence and experience. We did not have the experience but could have made up for that with intelligence."

Wenger has ruled out adopting a similar policy of fielding inexperienced players in the FA Cup next month but added that some of last night's side may now move out on loan to gain more first-team experience.

But defender Mikael Silvestre, easily the most experienced player on show at Burnley, hopes to see a number of the youngsters breaking through to the senior side on a regular basis before too long.

Highly-rated Welsh teenager Aaron Ramsey and 16-year-old Jack Wilshere were among the players beaten by two Kevin McDonald goals.

Former Manchester United player Silvestre said: "You have got to learn and learn quickly. You have not got many opportunities to reach a quarter-final of the League Cup and they have to learn that we should have won here.

"Just a lack on concentration on two occasions cost us two goals."

But he added: "I think they have progressed really well. Hopefully they can prove something in training and they get the chance in the first team."

Arsenal will now turn their attention back to the Barclays Premier League having got their title bid back on track with a 2-1 defeat of Chelsea last weekend. The Gunners host Wigan on Saturday.

Silvestre added: "A win against the big four is important for the confidence. That proves we can still compete for the title. Everybody knows we slipped too many times this season and we have to get some consistency.

"The league is really tight and if you drop 10% of performance the other team can beat us. The Premier League is tough and any team can beat any team."