Wenger: Tottenham loss a massive blow to top-four hopes

Arsene Wenger admitted his hopes of a top-four finish and a swift return to the Champions League had taken a serious blow at the hands of Tottenham.

Arsenal trail seven points behind their north London neighbours after the 1-0 defeat at Wembley and are five points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea, who play at home to West Bromwich Albion, on Monday.

‘This was a game we couldn’t afford to lose,’ said Wenger. ‘That makes it much more difficult now but we have to fight as long as we have a mathematical chance.

Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game as Spurs moved seven points ahead of Arsenal

‘There was more at stake than the derby, I said that before the game, and that is why it is so disappointing to lose the way we lost it.’

The Arsenal boss refused to embrace the possible consolation of claiming a ticket to the Champions League by winning the Europa League, as Manchester United did last year.

‘It is too early,’ said Wenger. ‘Football is not about switching off for three games and switching it on for one game.

‘Man United decided that once they were in the semi-final but we are far from the semi-final and I think we have to fight to have a chance to come back.

Alexandre Lacazette missed a glorious opportunity to level the scores in the dying moments

‘There was more at stake than the derby, I said that before the game,’ the Arsenal boss said

‘Overall it is a very disappointing result because the priority has to be to get to the Champions League through the Premier League.

‘I am not a great fan of the Europa League being a qualifier for the Champions League because I think it is not right.

‘If it is an opportunity we will have to try to take it as well but the priority is still the Premier League.’

Arsenal’s next game in away against Ostersunds of Sweden, on Thursday, in the last 32 of the Europa League.