Arsenal's cup season in ruins after Champions League exit

LONDON, Mar 8 (Reuters) A cup season that was full of promise for Arsenal less than two weeks ago now lies in ruins after their Champions League exit at the hands of PSV Eindhoven.

Once feted for their exciting young talent, Arsenal's faults have been cruelly exposed by failures in the League Cup final, FA Cup and now Europe after yesterday's 1-1 draw and 2-1 aggregate defeat by PSV in the last 16.

Several factors lie behind what manager Arsene Wenger dubbed an ''horrendous'' time for his club, including injury to key players and the fixture congestion which inevitably comes with successful cup runs.

Captain and inspirational striker Thierry Henry has had spells on the sidelines this season and his return as a second-half substitute yesterday could hardly have gone any worse.

Not only was the prolific striker well short of match fitness, the Frenchman suffered a stomach muscle and groin injury which Wenger said would keep him out for several weeks.

Two other attacking players missed the PSV game, Dutchman Robin van Persie and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, while the defence was re-shuffled in the absence of Emmanuel Eboue -- with central midfielder Gilberto moved into the back four.

That left two 19-year-olds, Denilson and Cesc Fabregas, in charge of the middle of the park for last season's finalists.

Bursting with promise, as is 17-year-old substitute forward Theo Walcott, they are still at the start of their careers and are discovering that the highest level is an unforgiving place.

For, aside from the absentees and the tiredness of playing four times from Feb. 25 to Wednesday night, Arsenal's woes are basically the growing pains of a youthful side with plenty to learn.

Wenger's men can be very entertaining to watch but at crucial times this season they have lacked the steel to see out a game or to grind out a result.

Though Fabregas could develop into one of the world's best midfielders and Gilberto is both dedicated and experienced, Arsenal still lack a towering figure of authority in the middle -- as once provided by former captain Patrick Vieira.

At the back, they are vulnerable to high balls into the area, such as the decisive goals conceded to Chelsea's Didier Drogba in the League Cup final and to Alex yesterday.

Up front, Arsenal would benefit from another proven finisher to ease the burden on Henry.

Loan striker Julio Baptista has sparkled mainly in the League Cup and may return to Real Madrid at the end of season, while Emmanuel Adebayor has not realised the potential shown by his matchwinner at Manchester United in September.

The Togo striker has scored some important cup goals but has scored only five more in the Premier League since that opportunistic strike at Old Trafford.

Arsenal still have an important target this season -- securing a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League qualifiers. They are currently fourth, a point behind Liverpool, but have two games in hand on them and on the chasing pack, led by Bolton Wanderers who are five points adrift.

More telling will be the club's moves in the transfer market once the season ends. Arsenal's youngsters will improve as the years go by but the club needs to add one or two more experienced, world-class players before then.

REUTERS PDS RAI1914