Wenger Warning ... But We Would Welcome The Chance!

Last updated : 11 March 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

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The Gunners want neighboursTottenham's third place ... but I'm sure Alan Pardew and his Toon players would welcome the chance to finish fourth and challenge Europe's elite.

Should Chelsea fail to beat Napoli, who lead 3-1 from the first leg in Italy, next week, then there will be no English sides in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Both Manchester City and Manchester United failed to make it through the group stages, and also lost their Europa League games this week.

Arsene Wenger: "Looking at the quality in Europe, it is going up, for any English team it is difficult. I have felt that for a few years now.

"Where it [Champions League qualification from fourth place] was just a formality before, now it is not.

"With Udinese we had two hard games, they are a top team in Serie A.

"At the moment for Tottenham, it [third place] is still in their hands. It will be down to consistency.

"We have difficult games, they have difficult games and I think we have to make sure first that the fourth spot is there.

"You look at the results of Man City and Man United at home this season and you would think that they were the two teams who would manage to go through easily. It is difficult.

"Judging on this season we are not [on top], they have caught up.

"Maybe because in England every championship game is a complete commitment, we suffer a bit more in the decisive Champions League games.

"This season did not go well. Maybe the clubs have to up the quality of their game."