Wenger: Europe has caught England

Plenty to ponder ... the world has caught up with the Premier League. Source: Kerstin Joensson / AAP

Arsenal and Manchester United's exit from the UEFA Champions League at the round of 16 stage means it's the first time since 1996 that the Premier League will not be represented in the quarter finals of Europe's top stage

Teams from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey and Germany will contest the final stages of the prestigious competition, and as Wenger reflected on Arsenal's demise, he suggested the performance reflected a wider dilema for English football.

Barcelona (Spain) 

Bayern Munich (Germany) 

Borussia Dortmund (Germany) 

Galatasaray (Turkey)

Juventus (Italy) 

Malaga (Spain) 

Paris Saint Germain (France) 

Real Madrid (Spain)

"It's a massive disappointment for English football, for many, many years we weren't use to that," Wenger said after bowing out on away goals at the hands of Bayern Munich on Thursday (EDT). 

"It is a massive wake up call for us, if you think of the teams who have gone out, like Manchester United, City, Chelsea and now us, it is a long time since that happened.

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"It shows that the rest of European football has caught up with us.

"We have to take that into consideration for the future."

England has had three UCL winners in the past decade: Liverpool (2004-2005), Manchester United (2007-2008) and Chelsea (2011-2012). 

La Liga v Premier League is a hugely popular debating point amongst football fans. While many will use this performance to mount a case against the EPL, Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said the result is just part of the game and it's swings from year to year.

"I think comparisons like this don't bring much, we have had German teams knocked out early in previous years," said Heynckes.

"I think Manchester United were unlucky to get knocked out and Arsenal showed what a quality team they are.

"You get cycles like that in football, I think the English teams will be back next year."

Meanwhile, Wenger praised his side's efforts as they produced a 2-0 win at Allianz Arena - the biggest defeat at home for Bayern in Champions League history. But the "glorious defeat" means nothing as Wenger contemplates another trophyless campaign. 

"I said many times that these players have a fantastic attitude and spirit," a defiant Wenger told Sky Sports. "We have the quality, but unfortunately, we have to go out of the Champions League and that hurts.

"It is very difficult to go out of this competition, especially when you lose at home. You make it difficult for yourself. We played against one of the best teams, but we have the same regrets as last year [when Arsenal lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Milan]. Some nerves in the first leg and after when you have no choice and have a go, we show how good we are.

"I am confident that we will give everything to be back next season in the Champions League. The players who played tonight did very well, so let's finish the season on a high."

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