Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta believes Arsene Wenger was RIGHT to liken top-four finish to lifting a trophy

Mikel Arteta believes Arsene Wenger foresaw how difficult it would become to qualify for the Champions League when he once likened clinching a top four place to winning a trophy.

Wenger was derided for his 2012 claim at the time.

But with Arsenal currently fourth and looking to get back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017, Arteta did not disagree with his former manager.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal currently sit fourth and are on course to return to Champions League

Former boss Arsene Wenger (pictured) once likened finishing fourth to winning a trophy 

He said: ‘With the experience that Arsene had of the game and the understanding he had, he probably anticipated this.

‘He was very aware and probably anticipated that because you could see a lot of teams stopped playing Champions League every season. Whenever he said something, a lot of times it made a lot of sense.’

Arsenal have been out of Europe this season for the first time since 1994/95 but are on course to take full advantage of their reduced workload by returning to Europe’s elite club competition.

‘I think playing in European competitions is a must, and that is what we are trying to do,’ Arteta said ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Leicester.

‘We want to get as quickly as possible back around the top teams in this competition.’

Arsenal have been out of Europe this season for the first time since the 1994/95 campaign