‘It is not like they won the European Cup five times before I arrived’ – Wenger defends his record at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has defended Arsenal’s European record under his stewardship, despite a humiliating 5-1 loss at the hands of Bayern Munich.

The French tactician has been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism as the Gunners disastrously headed towards another last-16 exit in the Champions League.

Arsenal have continuously fell at this stage of the competition in recent years and have never won the title in their history.

The closest they came was in 2006, where Wenger’s side were narrowly beaten by Barcelona in the final and the Arsenal boss has defended their record.

“I hope in the future, we can this trophy but it is not like they won the European Cup five times before I arrived,” he said.

“But even if I leave, Arsenal will not win every game. Let’s not forget Arsenal did not play a lot of Champions League games before I arrived. They never won it. We have to take things in perspective.

“As long as you don’t win everything, there is always something wrong. You have to accept that.

“In the last 20 years in Europe, only three clubs have played every season in the Champions League – Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. If everything is not perfect, not everything is wrong.”

Wenger also reflected on the strength of Bayern Munich after their battering at the Allianz Arena.

‘We played against a good Bayern team and sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition,’ he added.

‘They have top class players.’

On his time in north London, which has seen Wenger win three Premier League crowns and six FA Cups, he added: “I hate defeat, I
hate to lose games. I have a big responsibility at this club. It is difficult to take but I have the strength and experience. I am in a public job and I must accept that. Everybody can have an opinion.”