Wenger: My boys will bounce back

Having victory snatched from them in such dramatic fashion was so demoralising that there was no way back for Arsenal. Just before the final whistle Babel outpaced a weary Cesc Fabregas to score the fourth and secure Liverpool's ninth European Cup semi-final.

"We have a team of fantastic potential but in the last few weeks they've been shocked by a series of big disappointments," explained the Arsenal manager. "The mental strength of the team was tremendous last night but we were a little naive, made mistakes and showed a lack of experience."

Wenger knows that it was defensive uncertainty that proved so costly on a tumultuous night on Merseyside. Philippe Senderos, for instance, was outwitted by Sami Hyypia when the Finnish centre-half headed the equaliser and Senderos was again slow to react when Fernando Torres put Liverpool in front in the 69th minute.

Wenger's decision to play Toure at right-back because of the injury to Bacary Sagna meant that he had little realistic option but to play Senderos alongside William Gallas in the heart of the defence.

However, Arsenal were the superior side for much of a thrilling first half, moving the ball about with crisp precision. "There were times in the game when they simply outpassed us," admitted Gerrard afterwards.

It was a clever interchange in the 13th minute that presented Abou Diaby with Arsenal's first goal. Then, instead of building on their lead, Arsenal surrendered the initiative in the 30th minute when the unmarked Hyypia headed home Gerrard's corner. Liverpool were more dominant in the second half when Arsenal missed the influence and energy of the injured Mathieu Flamini. But when Torres spun so decisively to shoot Liverpool in front, the visitors responded with great spirit and would have scored themselves had Adebayor taken more care with a side foot shot in the 72nd minute.

It was a breathtaking contest and a passionate crowd of 42,000 knew they were witnessing something memorable long before Arsenal's young substitute Walcott began his amazing run before crossing from the right for Adebayor to score a goal worthy of deciding a great match. Wenger was ecstatic - but could hardly believe what happened next.

Less than two minutes later, a desperate Toure brought down Babel and Gerrard scored from the spot. "It was never a penalty," insisted Toure.

Then, in the final seconds of injury time Babel clinched a third semi-final with Chelsea in four years to bring Arsenal's season of rich promise to a sad end.

"The players have a strong sense of disappointment and injustice," said Wenger. "If you lose to the better team - well, okay. But that's not been the case over these two games."

Wenger now takes his players to Old Trafford on Sunday hoping that they can find the energy to beat Manchester United and revive their faint title hopes.

"We will try to finish strongly, but it will be difficult to raise their spirits," he said.

Very difficult!