Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has conceded that his side may have been better off finishing third in their group to contest the latter stages of the Europa League rather than the Champions League.

The Gunners crashed out in the last 16 of Europe's premier club competition for the fifth consecutive season last night, being eliminated by Monaco on away goals despite a 2-0 victory in the second leg.

Arsenal have not featured in the secondary UEFA tournament since the 1999-2000 season, but Wenger admitted that his side would stand more chance of lifting silverware should they fail to reach the Champions League knockout stages.

When asked whether he was unhappy at Arsenal's repeated exits in the first knockout round, Wenger told reporters: "Yes, but sometimes we have been beaten by opponents who were in the final.

"Perhaps it would be better not to go out like this and make the Europa League, we would be more likely to win."

Wenger also claimed that Monaco didn't deserve to progress, having failed to have a single shot on target during the second leg.