Wilshere: Arsenal youngsters will learn from losing final

Omari Benjamin gave the young Gunners an early lead at the Emirates, but their rivals hit back with a quickfire double to turn the match on its head.

And a superb third goal just before half-time gave Wilshere’s youngsters a mountain to climb.

They had chances to close the gap in the second half, before two late West Ham goals gave the final scoreline a more flattering look.

And although Arsenal’s wait for an eighth FA Youth Cup and first since 2009 continues, Wilshere praised his side for their run to the showpiece final.

“I had a decision to make in the summer about whether I stopped my playing career and come and coach this team,” Wilshere told arsenal.com.

“I was still unsure even when I came in as you never know if it’s the right decision until you’re there experiencing it and living it. 

“The players have made it so that I made the right decision. They’ve given me feelings I’ve never experienced in football before, and I’ll always love them for that. I’m proud of them.

“The overriding feeling is sadness because the boys deserve more than that, but that is part and parcel of development. 

“Sometimes football is horrible, and they’re devastated because they deserve more, but now you’ll see the strong ones and who bounces back.

“I lost finals in my career and there’s no worse feeling but now it’s how you respond.”

Benjamin swept home the opener after a driving run from Reuell Walters set up Amario Cozier-Duberry for a shot that was parried by Hammers keeper Mason Terry.

But George Earthy levelled with a superb strike from 20 yards and Callum Marshall turned home Gideon Kodua’s superb low cross to put them ahead less than two minutes later.

A mistake by Josh Robinson was then seized upon by Kodua, who chipped Noah Cooper from 35 yards, just before the break.

Ethan Nwaneri hooked a good chance wide after the restart and Michal Rosiak was denied by Terry, before Kaelen Casey headed home a corner and late substitute Josh Briggs made it 5-1 when bundling home another set-piece with his first touch.

“We started really well, we went 1-0 up and I thought we were in control,” added Wilshere, a member of the successful 2009 squad and two-time FA Cup winner during a senior career that saw him play 197 games for the Gunners and win 34 England caps. 

“Then we gave the ball away and they punished us. Then they got another goal quickly and I think that affected us a little bit and we looked a little bit lost. You’re thinking, ‘OK, let’s get to half-time at 2-1’ but obviously the third goal happens and it’s very difficult.

“I said to the boys that we’ve been here before and I was confident we’d get chances. I think the scoreline flattered them a little bit because they scored two set-pieces at the end when we were pushing.”

Over 34,000 fans were in attendance and Wilshere hopes the youngsters get the chance to play in front of more big crowds in future.

“A massive thank you to the supporters and the club to make this night possible,” he said. 

“There’s no better experience for them – sometimes you have to remember there are 15 and 16-year-olds on the pitch and their dream is to play at the Emirates. 

“Now they’re here and there’s 34,000 watching and that can have an effect, but I don’t think it did. It’s a big lesson for the boys and they should take it.”