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Arsene Wenger has praised Chelsea for their emphatic title win this season
But the Frenchman believes they will find it much more difficult next year
Wenger suggested the Blues title success is related to not playing in Europe
Arsenal were dealt a top four blow after rivals Liverpool defeated West Ham 4-0

Published: 17:30 EDT, 14 May 2017 | Updated: 17:42 EDT, 14 May 2017

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Arsene Wenger has warned Antonio Conte next season will be a ‘different story’ for Chelsea with the addition of Champions League football.

The Frenchman said playing in midweek presents a more difficult physical test and suggested Arsenal had also struggled to respond to the blow of being thrashed by Bayern Munich in March.

Arsenal had long been ruled out of the Premier League title race before Chelsea were confirmed champions on Friday, but Wenger’s side’s win on Saturday raised hopes of another top-four finish.

Arsene Wenger has warned Antonio Conte next season will be a ‘different story’ for Chelsea

Wenger claimed Chelsea will have a tougher task to stay champions now European football has been added to their calendar.

‘I congratulate Chelsea on what they’ve done, but you see as well when they play in Europe, it’ll be a different story,’ Wenger said.

‘I think we struggled a lot after what happened against Bayern, a big blow, but it was still possible at the moment we played Bayern to come back at Chelsea.’

Arsenal lost to Liverpool in between the 10-2 aggregate defeat by Bayern and then suffered defeats by West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.

Chelsea stormed to the title this season without the distraction of European football

Wenger’s argument holds more weight when considering Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-0 in September to trigger Conte’s switch to 3-4-3, which was aided by having clear weeks to hone in training.

‘They’ve done well but in the last two seasons the team that won the league hasn’t played in Europe,’ Wenger added. ‘It’ll be a different season next year because they will have to play on Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday.’

There was another plane carrying a ‘Wenger Out’ message over the bet365 Stadium, but the Frenchman highlighted how victory over Sunderland on Monday will see Arsenal surpass last season’s points total of 71.

Wenger saw his faint top four hopes dented after Liverpool defeated West Ham on Sunday

‘It just shows that every season is different and we can still make 75 points,’ Wenger said.

Nonetheless Liverpool’s win at West Ham means Arsenal need to win their last two games, and hope Jurgen Klopp’s men fail to beat Middlesbrough on Sunday.