Jack Wilshere leads an inquest on the pitch as Arsenal lose the FA Youth Cup final in 5-1 thrashing

Fans watched Jack Wilshere hold an inquest with his players after Arsenal were hammered 5-1 by West Ham in the FA Youth Cup final on Tuesday night.

The Arsenal U18 manager gathered his teenage squad by the centre circle at the Emirates after watching his side capitulate defensively during the disappointing defeat.

Wilshere, who starred against Liverpool in the 2009 final when Arsenal last lifted the trophy, watched his side take the lead through Omari Benjamin in the early stages.

The advantage was short-lived and was quickly cancelled out by two goals in as many minutes from West Ham teenagers George Earthy and Callum Marshall.

Gideon Kadou's sensational 35-yard chip just before the break put Arsenal 3-1 behind at half time and capped off an exceptional comeback from the visiting side.

Wilshere's fortunes went from bad to worse in the second half after Kaelan Casey and substitute Josh Briggs netted from late corners, handing West Ham their first FA Youth Cup triumph since 1999.

Footage from the Emirates showed Wilshere addressing his Arsenal players and staff in the middle of a group huddle, drowned out by jubilant chants from approximately 7,000 travelling Irons supporters.

The inquest, which conventionally happens in the dressing room after matches, was also broadcasted on the main television screens at the Emirates.

Before West Ham's fourth, Arsenal were presented with a host of chances to claw one back in the second half but failed to take their opportunities.

Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest ever player to star in a Premier League match aged 15 years and 181 days against Brentford last September, squandered a golden opportunity just outside the six-yard box.

Moments later, Michal Rosiak fired his excellent chance straight at Mason Terry between the sticks, failing to make the most of a sustained period of pressure from the Gunners.

Wilshere, who took over the U18s job last July after retiring from professional football, clearly wanted his young stars to learn from the experience, forcing them to stay out on the pitch and listen to the West Ham celebrations.

Gunners fans will hope there's no post-match inquest on the pitch at the Etihad on Wednesday night, as Mikel Arteta's senior side aim to triumph over their Premier League title rivals Manchester City.