Lack of urgency, not selection cost Arsenal against Southampton: Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has asserted that his side's lack of urgency, rather than the wrong squad selection, led to their 0-2 defeat to Southampton in their EFL Cup quarter-final elimination at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

Wenger made 10 changes to the squad following their 3-1 win over Bournemouth and was rewarded with his side's first defeat since the opening day of the Premier League season.

The Arsenal manager insisted he had no regrets over his selection and rather blamed his side's incapability to score goal for the defeat.

"It was one of those nights where it looked like we can play for two hours and not score a goal. We didn't have enough urgency in the first half," goal.com quoted Wenger as saying

"We were weak in some departments and we paid for that. I have no regrets over selection, I regret we lost the game," he added.

Midfielder Jordy Clasie put Southampton ahead in the 13th minute of the match before defender Ryan Bertrand doubled the lead in the 38th minute to ensure his side reach the first League Cup semi-final in 30 years.

Southampton will now play the first leg of the semi-finals against Liverpool on January 10.