Arsene Wenger sees little sense in play-off for fourth place

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger sees no sense in the proposed introduction of a play-off for the final Champions League spot – and insists there is no reason to think the top four will always stay the same.

The Premier League is looking into the possibility of bringing in a new system which could mean teams finishing fourth to seventh playing a mini-knockout competition.

Under the present system, Arsenal have gone through the final qualifying stage for the past couple of seasons, and currently sit third in the Premier League table.

While any new proposal would not come into force for at least three years because of withstanding TV deals, Wenger believes such change is unnecessary.

"After 38 games, you have to consider the table is the table," said Wenger, in Porto for the first leg of their Champions League knock-out clash tonight.

"If a team is ten points ahead in fourth from seventh place, I do not see any reason why we should reconsider that. Why then should the 17th not play against the 14th not to go down?"

Wenger continued: "If Stoke finishes fourth, it does not devalue the Champions League at all. It is down to where you finish.

"I believe you have to accept the best four play in the Champions League – that does not mean it has to be the same.

"This season is a massive fight. Nobody is guaranteed until now to be in the top four.

"That is why you have to accept the best four teams are in there, otherwise you have to create new rules every season.

"I believe the Premier League is very interesting, very tough for everybody. This year more than ever, anybody can drop points anywhere in the league, so that means the differences between the teams is getting shorter."