Arsenal star Carl Jenkinson has cheeky dig at Tottenham’s expense as Gunners reach Champions League last-16
Top spot in Group A looks unlikely for Arsene Wenger's side... but defender reminds fans Spurs are much worse off
ARSENAL defender Carl Jenkinson is using Tottenham’s Champions League elimination to put The Gunners’ Euro problems into perspective.
Arsene Wenger’s team are now almost certain to finish as runners-up in their group following last night’s costly 2-2 home draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
But at least they are safely through to the last 16 for the 17th consecutive season.
And that is more than can be said for local rivals Spurs, who are definitely out of the competition as a result of losing in Monaco on Tuesday night.
Full-back Jenkinson said: “Getting to the last 16 is not the easiest thing in the world, as Tottenham have seen this week.
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“It’s obviously frustrating not to be top of our group, especially when you look at our superior goal difference and know that it counts for nothing.
“I’m not a fan of the head-to-head rule and think it’s a shame that is what will decide our group. But that’s the way it is and we have to take it on the chin.
"We are still through to the last 16 and unbeaten in Europe this season, joint top of our group and still with a chance of winning it. We have done well to get to this point.
“All we can do is go to Basel and win our final game then hope that things pan out for us between PSG and Ludogorets.
“Even if they don’t go our way, we are through to the knock-out stages anyway.
"And the way the draw could work out this season means it’s not that much different between finishing first or second.”
As things currently stand, Arsenal could be drawn against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Benifca or Monaco if they finish runners-up in Group A.
Yet should they somehow snatch top spot, they could still find themselves up against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Seville, Napoli, Bayer Lerverkusen or Porto in the next round.