Arsene Wenger HITS OUT at away goals rule and lifts lid on Premier League title hopes

ARSENE WENGER says the away goals rule in European football is outdated an must change - although he did not blame UEFA for Arsenal’s European exit this week.

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The Gunners crashed out of the last-16 stage with a 3-3 aggregate defeat to Monaco, having lost the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates.

A 2-0 away result on Tuesday wasn’t enough to save Wenger’s men and the manager hit out at the rule that weights away goals if scores are even at full time of the second leg.

“I think it’s the first time in 19 years (that an English team failed to make the last eight) so I don’t think we can draw general conclusions from that,” he said.

“Two teams have gone out on away goals but I think that should be questioned because it’s a rule that is outdated now and that has to be changed and I’ve fought for that for a long time.

“In direct knockout it’s important that you’re very efficient, a bit lucky sometimes as well, and none of the teams apart from Barcelona looks to be superior in Europe today. I think two other teams could have gone through and Chelsea and Arsenal.

“It should count maybe after extra time. This rule has been created in the ‘60s to favour attacking play away from home. Since that football has changed. The weight of an away goal is too big today. I still think you can count it after extra time like it is in the League Cup in England.”

Arsene Wenger at Arsenal trainingGETTY

Arsene Wenger wants UEFA to change rules on away goals

Wenger refused to lay blame solely on the rules, however, and insisted the clash with Monaco was lost in that first game at the Emirates.

“We are on a good run and we won the game (in Monaco) and of course we are frustrated and disappointed to go out,” he said.

“But it’s not down to our performance on Tuesday night. It’s down to our home performance, especially on a defensive front that we paid for.

“I think we were a bit unlucky as well. If you look at the number of shots on target Monaco had over the two games. They have been very efficient in their qualifying.”

Wenger: Monaco not worthy winners [AMBIENT]

Chelsea suffered the same fate as Arsenal, falling to PSG 3-3 on aggregate last week, to drop out of Europe’s elite competition.

Meanwhile, Manchester City also limped out with a 3-1 aggregate loss to Barcelona.

The three exits mean Everton, in the Europa League, are now the only English club fighting for European honours.

But Wenger insists there is no inherent problem with Premier League clubs fighting on the international stage.

He said: “I think the quality of the Premie League is very high and the physical demands are extreme but I’m not in the mood today to analyse what’s wrong with English football.

“I don’t think there is a lot wrong.

“Maybe for the interest for the Premier League it could be good for the end of the season.

“But you would ask anybody in the Premier League and they would still love to be in (Europe).”

Mesut Ozil at ArsenalGETTY

Mesut Ozil was one of Arsenal's better performers in Monaco on Tuesday night

With no European honours to play for, Arsenal are now free to concentrate on the league and FA Cup.

They are seeking a 19th consecutive qualification for the Champions League and sit third in the domestic table, a point off second-place Manchester City and two above Manchester United.

Asked if he believes the Gunners can challenge Chelsea, who are seven points in front with a game in hand, for the title, Wenger replied: “We would love to (be in the title race).

“At the moment we are too far away from Chelsea but we have an opportunity every week to get closer and for that we need positive results from us and negative results from Chelsea.

“The one thing we can master is positive results from us. I believe that Chelsea have a very good cushion and very good security.”

While Wenger prepares for this weekend’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park, club officials continue to scout out the best new talent.

The summer transfer window may be a long way off but speculation over who Arsenal could sign is on the agenda.

But the boss was reluctant to discuss signings and instead revealed his plans for keeping much of the current squad in place for next season.

“Look we are not in a transfer period. We have to continue just to focus,” he said.

“Ninety-five per cent of the players will still be here next season.

“And what is important is the attitude of this 95 per cent of the players and how much we improve, how much we push on now until the end of the season.

“We are in the semi-final of the FA Cup, we are in a strong fight in the Premier League.”

Arsenal are expected to let midfielder Mikel Arteta leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, with David Moyes’ Real Sociedad reportedly interested in the Spaniard.

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