Arsene Wenger sees emergence of European league

The Arsenal boss flew in to Glasgow yesterday for the first leg of the Champions League play against Celtic tonight and, as is traditional ahead of such fixtures, the question of the Old Firm joining the Premier League was raised.

Wenger insisted Rangers and Celtic had the quality to compete in the top-half of the English top flight but went on to suggest a more radical change could yet be on the cards.

"I believe you have two parts of Scottish club football; you have Rangers and Celtic and then the rest," the Frenchman said.

"I would say that Celtic and Rangers could compete, certainly, in the Premier League in the top eight. "The other teams at the moment are not equipped for that.

"But I see more of a European League developing in time anyway. The national leagues will survive, but maybe in 10 years you will have a European League.

"The way we are going now financially, even the money coming in from the Champions League, for some clubs who spend so much money, will not be enough anymore because the income is basically owned by UEFA and they distribute the money to the clubs.

"I'm not sure 100% that I am right, but I feel that there are some voices behind the scenes in our game aiming to do something about a European league, especially if the rules become too restrictive for the big clubs as things currently stand."

Wenger continued: "If a European league (does happen) the question is whether clubs will transfer from a national league or whether it is a franchised European league.

"That's the question people will have to answer.

"I personally believe only in sporting merit, so if one league is created there has to be promotion up and down. "But that would be, practically, very difficult to resolve.

"I do not want to kill the national leagues so each team should have to play in the national league and in Europe.

"That means the Euro league taking place in midweek and the national league over the weekend.
"All this would mean having two teams, basically."

Wenger went on to warn Celtic that his side, who kicked off their season with a stunning 6-1 win over Everton, have the potential to do even better.

"We go into the game maybe a little bit lifted and with belief and confidence because we had a good result away from home at a difficult place," he said.

"But you can't come to any conclusions after one game. "There is room for improvement in every aspect of the game on Saturday, offensively and defensively.

"With every opportunity we created we scored in that game and that shows that the team is highly focussed.

"But our targets have not been reached yet.

"I want to do what is right for the team and the club and to help this team achieve success.

"I believe we have the potential to do it, but I am long enough in the job to know that one game is only one game."