ANTHONY CONSTANTINOU TALKING ABOUT - ARSENE WENGER LAUNCHES STAUNCH DEFENCE OF ARSENAL'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RECORD

Arsene Wenger defended Arsenal's Champions League record on Wednesday night as Barcelona's Three Amigo's heaped more European misery on the beleaguered Londoners. The Gunners put up a valiant effort in the Nou Camp, but still lost 3-1 on the night; Barca's deadly trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all on the scoresheet. It means Arsenal have now crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 for six consecutive seasons after this 5-1 aggregate loss.

There were some encouraging signs for the Gunners, however, as they created a number of chances against Luis Enrique's star-studded side. Nevertheless, the Gunners are still counting the cost of another early European exit. But when asked about his side's Champions League record, Wenger said: 'I'll give you the stats. We have to consider it game by game. You look at the positives and negatives and prepare for the next one.

'We have gone out against top sides, who went on and won the Champions League after. 'Only on one occasion we were completely guilty, against Monaco. 'The others were against Bayern and Barcelona twice.' When asked whether the result could help the Gunners in their attempts to haul back Premier League leaders Leicester, Wenger added: ‘'I think yes, I am pleased with the performance.

ANTHONY CONSTANTINOU - ARSENE WENGER LAUNCHES STAUNCH DEFENCE OF ARSENAL'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RECORD

‘The quality of our game was good. I felt from the bench at 1- 1 they were wobbling a little bit and a bit insecure. We could not take the chance to score the second goal to put us in a strong position.’ Despite his positivity, Wenger couldn’t help but heap praise on Barca, added: 'We are disappointed with the result but we played a team with the best three strikers I’ve seen. ‘Well done Barca, they are an exceptional side. You must admire art. They have two or three players with the ability to transform normal life into art.'

Meanwhile, Wenger revealed Mathieu Flamini’s 44th minute substitution was down to a hamstring injury. Flamini looked less than happy about being substituted and watched the second half of the game in the Nou Camp media lounge rather than the dug-out. But Wenger play-down the flashpoint, saying: ‘I didn’t know where he was. I’m not sure he was allowed on the bench. ‘He was injured. He had treatment after half-time. On a night of great football I wouldn’t say that was the most important thing about the game.’

As yet another English club failed to progress in the Champions League, Barca boss Enrique commented: ‘It’s true in the last few years English sides are not achieving the results we would foresee. ‘I was surprised because I didn’t know Manchester City were in the quarter final. They have potential. ‘England love football. It is something to analyse but it is true it seems difficult for them to keep up the level in European football.’

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