"We are disappointed with the result, disappointed with some mistakes we made tonight. We didn’t want. We are trying to go forward building the team. We have to use some players and getting them chances, opportunities and as well minutes to take confidence. That is the way we have to build trying to get our best performance.

"We tried, but we lost today the Carabao Cup. Of course, we have to face the first Premier League. It is 100 per cent the most important competition for us. Today we lost and it’s completely out for us. We are going to face now Brighton on Saturday trying to recover quickly because we need our best performances and effort.

"Today in 90 minutes, we were sometimes well on the pitch and trying to keep playing like we were doing. Trying to play in good positioning, progress and get into the box. We started well. They were strong and were waiting for our mistakes. We had the injury of Leon Bailey which changed it a little bit and when they scored we were nervous.

"In the dressing room we spoke about taking control of the game like we were doing and try to take a challenge in the second half to come back. We made very quick the second mistake, they scored and it was more difficult to come back. Our reaction and our idea to continue building our style and our combination, we did it. It wasn’t enough to win, but we were close and we have to accept it.

"I don’t think it’s being tired. I don’t want to use all our effort with the players each match, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday. That’s the reason why we wanted to keep a balance with other players. Trying to be competitive and win the match. That is the reason I did some change and I tried to manage 90 minutes trying to reduce the effort with some players.

"We needed to give Lucas Digne some rest. We did it as well because Alex Moreno was not ready to play, hopefully he is close to coming back but not yet. We had to use different players and John McGinn played well there and did good work there.

"Not disappointed, but I am demanding myself and have to be demanding with the players, they know it. For example, this is the first match Leander Dendoncker played, he was out of the pre-season and it’s not easy to recover and play in the idea we want to create. It’s necessary to give him chances and minutes to take it. He will need more.

"Then, Jhon Duran is young and must take experiences, he is playing and scoring goals. I think he is doing the process like I planned for him. Another substitution was John McGinn, it was a plan to play 45 minutes with McGinn and Lucas Digne. I tried to reduce minutes with other players, but in the end they played 90 minutes as we tried to come back the result."

Unai Emery post-match.


"I hadn't played there since I was 17, but, we've obviously got a lot of injuries. I think that's kind of went under the radar.

"Alex Moreno is struggling at the moment to come back. If we lose Lucas [Digne] we lose a big part of the team so the manager asked if I can fill in. I know the role. I know the responsibility and I was happy to just play wherever.

"It went alright. I think I played decent apart for the near-own goal but it was strange and I think the manager trusts me in different positions so as long as the park, I'm happy.”

John McGinn on playing at left back.