Arsenal would be better off in Europa League! Arsene Wenger makes shocking admission after Champions League failure

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made the stunning claim that his side would be better off in the Europa League next season, after repeatedly failing to make an impact in the Champions League.

Tuesday night's 2-0 win in Monaco was not enough to prevent a last-16 exit as Arsenal lost out on away goals rule following their 3-1 first-leg defeat at the Emirates last month.

And Wenger, who has been in the competition for 17 straight seasons, says that his side might even be better away from the top-tier competition in future given their recent trend of exiting almost as soon as the knockout stages have begun.

Arsene Wenger had admitted that Arsenal might have a better chance of winning in the Europa League

Arsene Wenger had admitted that Arsenal might have a better chance of winning in the Europa League

Wenger's Arsenal side could only find two goals in Monaco on Tuesday, when they needed at least three

Wenger's Arsenal side could only find two goals in Monaco on Tuesday, when they needed at least three

After repeated Champions League failure, Wenger has speculated about winning the Europa League in future

After repeated Champions League failure, Wenger has speculated about winning the Europa League in future

The third-placed team in each Champions League group - a fate that Wenger has never suffered - move into the Europa League rather than a total exit from Europe, and the Arsenal boss believes that might be a better silverware opportunity.


When asked if these early exits were eating away at him, Wenger replied: 'Yes, but we were eliminated by teams who reached the final. Maybe it would be better not to pass the group phase and play the Europa League than to be eliminated in the last 16. We would have more chances to win a title.'

When pressed for clarification, the Arsenal manager insisted this was meant to be a comment about the abrupt and unforgiving nature of the Champions League in its sudden-death phase rather than a serious realignment of ambitions.  

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the Gunners as they looked to fight back from their first-leg defeat

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the Gunners as they looked to fight back from their first-leg defeat

Giroud celebrates putting Arsenal in front at the Stade Louis II to give the away side a bit of hope early on

Giroud celebrates putting Arsenal in front at the Stade Louis II to give the away side a bit of hope early on

Aaron Ramsey added a second goal for the Gunners but they could not find a third to send them through

Aaron Ramsey added a second goal for the Gunners but they could not find a third to send them through

The Welsh midfielder was a substitute on the night but came on to help Arsenal in their late charge 

The Welsh midfielder was a substitute on the night but came on to help Arsenal in their late charge 

Wenger has never won a European trophy but perhaps the Europa League would offer a better opportunity

Wenger has never won a European trophy but perhaps the Europa League would offer a better opportunity

The Arsenal boss also told L'Equipe that he thought his team's performance was good but that they left themselves too much to do after a poor showing in London last month.

'The performance was good, it was a difficult task,' Wenger said. 'They surprised us in the first game because subconsciously we were too sure of ourselves.

'In the second half, we lacked a bit of freshness. I am very disappointed to be knocked out, of course, but I will remember a lot of positives from this game.'

Alexis Sanchez went down under the challenge of Nabil Dirar in the penalty area but was booked for diving

Alexis Sanchez went down under the challenge of Nabil Dirar in the penalty area but was booked for diving

Wenger was unhappy with the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen (second right) during the game

Wenger was unhappy with the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen (second right) during the game

Wenger made it clear he was unhappy with the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen during a first half where Arsenal could have won a penalty when Alexis Sanchez went down inside the area and the home side were allowed to commit multiple fouls with no bookings handed out.

'I think his (Moen's) first half was very poor,' Wenger said. 'I just told him at half-time that I was not happy with some decisions.'

HOW WENGER HAS FAILED IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, YEAR-BY-YEAR

2015 - beaten by Monaco, last 16

2014 - beaten by Bayern Munich, last 16

2013 - beaten by Bayern Munich, last 16

2012 - beaten by AC Milan, last 16

2011 - beaten by Barcelona, last 16

2010 - beaten by Barcelona, quarter-final

2009 - beaten by Manchester United, semi-final

2008 - beaten by Liverpool, quarter-final

2007 - beaten by PSV Eindhoven, last 16 

2006 - beaten by Barcelona, final

2005 - beaten by Bayern Munich, last 16

2004 - beaten by Chelsea, quarter-final

2003 - Knocked out, second group stage

2002 - Knocked out, second group stage

2001 - beaten by Valencia, quarter-final

2000 - Knocked out, first group stage

1999 - Knocked out, first group stage

 

The closest Wenger has come to lifting the famous trophy was Arsenal's final defeat by Barcelona in 2006

The closest Wenger has come to lifting the famous trophy was Arsenal's final defeat by Barcelona in 2006

Wenger and his players watch on disappointed as Barcelona lift the trophy in Paris' Stade de France

Wenger and his players watch on disappointed as Barcelona lift the trophy in Paris' Stade de France

VIDEO Jardim explains Wenger handshake snub 

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