Arsene Wenger says Champions League is getting dull after failing to qualify for first time in 19 years
ARSENE WENGER claims the Champions League has become less interesting - after failing to qualify.
Arsenal's fifth-placed finish last season was not enough to secure a spot for the Gunners boss for the first time in 19 years..
And as he prepares to face Europa League rivals BATE Borisov in Belarus on Thursday, he claimed the competition was losing some of its pulling power.
Wenger, 67, said: “I think that in the group stage, there are not many interesting games. You watch only one or two games.
“It’s a routine now, the Champions League, in the group stage. Look at the audiences. It has lost some attraction power.”
Last month Wenger insisted the Premier League had “taken over from the Champions League, interest-wise”.
But the Frenchman admitted he was missing the chance to test himself against Europe's elite.
Asked if he would like to be involved, he added: “Honestly, yes. But I must say, I have had nearly 200 games in the Champions League, so I can feel privileged.”
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Arsenal welcome West Brom to the Emirates tomorrow, hoping to improve on a slow start.
And Wenger believes Aaron Ramsey is ready to show his best form after a solid display against Chelsea.
He said: “It’s all there. He has more maturity, he has improved technically, he is more conscious of the importance of technical qualities.
"His game is clean: he has huge physical power, a huge engine.
“You know your job at [the age of] 25. It is as simple as that. You know where to be at the right moment to anticipate. You have to win a lot of balls when the ball is in a neutral zone. That means it’s not your ball, it’s not my ball.
"But if I understand quicker than you, I have many chances to win the ball when it’s in between you.”
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