Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has resurrected the age-old excuse of blaming his side's youth for poor results after losing 2-0 to Chelsea on Sunday, just three days before the Gunners face a resurgent Liverpool.

Wenger, whose only activity in the transfer window was to re-sign 35-year-old Sol Campbell, said the average age of both squads was a factor in the result.

He said Chelsea is "more experienced. They're 29. We're 23."

Before Arsenal lost 3-1 to Manchester United last week, Wenger had called his team a "different animal," suggesting Arsenal was now experienced enough to cope with big games in the title race.

Arsenal, whose title campaign has been a roller-coaster ride in recent months, has now dropped nine points behind Premier League leader Chelsea.

Liverpool travels to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in fourth place after beating Everton and closing the gap on Arsenal to five points.

"I feel we're not in the best of positions," Wenger said of the title race. "But we will not give up. It's a bit unfortunate in the same period to play Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool on the trot.

"If you lose one game it's very difficult (because of) the psychological implications for the next game and I believe it's a little bit of a disadvantage."

Liverpool, whose season appeared to implode early on, is back on track for a top-four finish and is now chasing Arsenal for third spot.

Wenger said it is imperative that Arsenal beats Liverpool on Wednesday.

"It's vital, of course," he said. "It was vital today and we lost."

Wenger criticized his team after the loss to United last week, calling his players "naive" in an unusual public attack on his players' performance. Wenger's tone was more mild Sunday and he praised Arsenal's attitude and performance. But he was clearly frustrated during the match, kicking his jacket, which was on the ground, and yelling at Chelsea's managerial staff for what he perceived to be the home team's time wasting.

Wenger said Arsenal dominated the game in terms of possession and could have won the game, but that Chelsea's brand of football disrupted the fluidity of the Gunners' attack.

"Chelsea won. You have to congratulate them," he said "We didn't get a demonstration of football. But they were efficient. At the end of the day, that's what made the difference."