Arsene Wenger challenged his crestfallen Arsenal squad not to let the disappointment of defeat in the Carling Cup final against Birmingham City at Wembley ruin their season.
The Gunners' quest for a first trophy in six seasons continued after a terrible mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and centre-half Laurent Koscielny gifted substitute Obafemi Martins a last-minute winner to send the Blues into Europe.
After Szczesny should have been given a red card for fouling Lee Bowyer inside the opening moments, but was saved by an incorrect offside flag from the assistant referee, Nikola Zigic headed Birmingham in front on 28 minutes.
Robin van Persie - who would later go off with a knee injury which could yet rule the Dutch striker out of the Champions League trip to Barcelona - equalised, but the Arsenal rally never came as they failed to make the most of second-half possession and were denied by some fine saves from Ben Foster.
It was, though, no more than the Blues deserved following a battling display as Arsenal, without injured captain Cesc Fabregas and England winger Theo Walcott, once more failed to deliver when it mattered most.
Wenger accepted the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, with Koscielny and Szczesny ‘destroyed’ in the dressing room afterwards.
However, the Gunners boss will expect full focus for the FA Cup fifth-round replay against Leyton Orient at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, and then again when they look to keep up the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United with the visit of Sunderland on Saturday before heading out to Spain.
‘It is a massive disappointment for the team, but we have massive challenges in front of us,’ said Wenger.
‘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.’
Wenger admitted Koscielny and Szczesny would certainly need their spirits raised.
The Arsenal boss said: ‘Both of them are destroyed.
‘We have to lift them up again and help them. That is what a team is about, that is part of the game.’
On the costly blunder, Wenger said: ‘It was a lack of communication, determination a little bit as well.
‘Like always, when the ball is in No Man's Land, someone has to take responsibility and go for it.’
