Wenger calls for “outdated” away goals rule to be scrapped in the Champions League

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has insisted that English football is not lagging behind the rest of Europe, after all the Premier League clubs involved in the Champions League were eliminated.

The Gunners won 2-0 at Monaco, but went out 3-3 on aggregate after they lost 3-1 at the Emirates. Manchester City were beaten 1-0 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp, after the Catalans won the first leg 2-1 at the Etihad. Chelsea also lost out 3-3 on aggregate to PSG last week.

“It’s the first time in 19 years [actually the second time in three years]. I don’t think that you can draw a general conclusion,” Wenger said.

Wenger also called for the away goals rule to be changed, as it has become outdated. The Frenchman called for the system to apply after extra time, if at all it must be used.

“Two teams have gone out on away goals, which I think should be questioned because it’s a rule that is outdated now and that has to be changed.

“I’ve fought for that for a long time. In a direct knockout, it’s important that you’re very efficient and a bit lucky as well. None of the teams, apart from Barcelona, look to be superior in Europe today. Two other teams, Chelsea and Arsenal, could have gone through.

“It should count maybe after extra-time because this rule has been created in the 60s to encourage the teams to attack away from home. Football has changed since then. The weight of the away goal is too big today.

“I still think maybe you can count [away goals] after extra-time like in the league cup in England.”

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