Arsene Wenger: 'Playing in Europe affects league form'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that his side's commitments in the Champions League have affected their form in the Premier League.

The Gunners lost two games in the top flight after playing in Europe's elite competition during the week, and Wenger feels that all teams that play in the tournaments on the continent struggle with the dual responsibility.

He told the club's official website: "It always happens. People don't [consider] that you can go away to Turkey on Wednesday night and then Sunderland on Saturday morning. Then after you lose the game everybody says 'what a scandal that is!'.

"Look at some teams who qualified surprisingly for the Europa League. They play the Europa League and the year after they nearly go down.

"Everybody is now on the same schedule. For example when we lost at Stoke you can say we can send a complete reserve team to Galatasaray but if you lose again you face a storm, so at least you have to go there with a chance to win the game."

The Gunners qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League by finishing second in Group D, while they are also currently sixth in the Premier League.