Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the Premier League has become the Champions League for English teams given the strength of its participants this season.
The Gunners crashed out of the Champions League this week after a 5-1 aggregate loss to La Liga leaders Barcelona, leaving Manchester City as the sole English representatives in the last eight.
Liverpool are also the only Premier League side in the Europa League after eliminating Manchester United, setting up a quarter-final showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s old side Borussia Dortmund.
And while admitting his fellow domestic rivals have let themselves down in Europe this season, Wenger insists the strength of the Premier League means it has taken priority over European ties.
“It’s not good enough,” he told a press conference ahead of their trip to Everton on Saturday, when asked about having just two representatives in the respective European competitions.
“But it’s very difficult to give you a rational explanation. The Premier League is very demanding. Overall, the Premier League will be even stronger next season, that’s for sure, again.
“Maybe the Premier League has become the Champions League for the English teams. That’s what is happening.
“Every game is so difficult in the Premier League that we maybe suffer a bit in Europe. Some teams who play in the Europa League prioritise the Premier League.”
