Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged his team not to dwell on their Carling Cup final disappointment.
The Gunners suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City on Sunday after a mix-up between Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins to tap in a later winner at Wembley Stadium.
The defeat leaves the Gunners still searching for their first piece of silverware since 2005 but, with the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League to play for, Wenger has told his players not to let the setback derail their season.
He said: “It is a massive disappointment for the team, but we have massive challenges in front of us.
“The Carling Cup is four or five games, but a championship season is 38. We will not throw 38 games away because of one game.
“I am confident we have the character and this is a good opportunity to show it.
“We have to be proud of our attitude, continue with our belief, pick ourselves up and face the other challenges we have.
“We will face a lot of questions after that mistake, but we have to be strong enough to stand up.
“It is a good opportunity to show that we have the mental strength to respond to the situation.”