Premier League is the best, claims Wenger as Arsenal boss responds to Keane swipe

By David Kent for MailOnline

Published: 05:44 EDT, 28 February 2014 | Updated: 16:50 EDT, 28 February 2014

Arsene Wenger insists the Barclays Premier League remains the best in Europe.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all lost their first-leg Champions League ties 2-0 prompting Roy Keane's damning assessment that England's top flight has fallen drastically behind Europe's elite.

But Wenger, who was pictured greeting his players with a handshake at Arsenal's London Colney training base on Friday, leaped to the defence of the Premier League ahead of his side's clash at Stoke.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Roy Keane criticise the Premier League and Michael Carrick

Hearty response: Jack Wilshere appeared in a relaxed mood on Friday, and right, Mesut Ozil will return at Stoke

That's handy: Arsene Wenger greets Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna at Arsenal's training base on Friday

Making his point: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenegr claims the Premier League is the best in Europe

'I maintain that it is the best, despite the results, because it is the most level league,' Wenger said.

'There is not the difference of quality - for example, between Bayern Munich and the rest of the German league.

'You have Bayern, Dortmund, then after that there is a big gap. Dortmund this year are not so much there at their best because they had many injuries.

'I feel that in England you can go to Cardiff, anybody, and lose. Spain was a good league as well, but this season the English league is the most difficult.

'Maybe we pay a little bit the price for that due to its toughness, the intensity. You cannot rest any player. In every single game you just have to focus on getting the best team out.' 

Unhappy: Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes the Premier League has fallen behind Europe's elite

Coming back: Mesut Ozil struggled against Bayern Munich but will be back for Arsenal's trip to Stoke on Saturday

Meanwhile, Wenger will not allow record signing Mesut Ozil to shoulder the burden for his side's title drive.

The Arsenal boss has backed Germany playmaker Ozil to blast back to top form thanks to a two-day break to clear his head after missing a crucial penalty against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Fit-again Ozil will return to action after hip trouble in Saturday's trip to Stoke, where the Gunners will look to build on their 4-1 mauling of Sunderland last weekend.

On target: Arsenal bounced back from their defeat against Bayern Munich with a 4-1 win over Sunderland

At the double: Olivier Giroud scored a brace in Arsenal's victory against the Black Cats

Admitting Ozil has struggled to adapt to the relentless Premier League pressure, Wenger said kid-gloves management will get the best from his £42.5million man.

'It is difficult for him mentally to be confronted with that pressure every three days and in every single competition,' Wenger said.

'But he will adapt. Maybe he feels that record signing tag a bit in a different way than I do.

'I just want him to enjoy it and play well. 'He has gone a little bit through a difficult time. It can happen to anybody. 'So have others in the past, and so I don't worry about Ozil.'