Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made the stunning claim that competing in the Europa League would be better than qualifying for the Champions League knockout round. 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 for his team next season.

When asked whether he was unhappy at Arsenal's repeated exits at the second-round stage, Wenger told L'Equipe: "Yes, but sometimes we have been beaten by opponents who were in the final.

"Perhaps it would be better not to go out like this and make the Europa League, we would be more likely to win."