Per Mertesacker had to admit that the prospect of ever winning the European Cup was a distant dream for Arsenal as they came to terms with another early exit . Arsenal won 2-0 in Monaco on Tuesday but lost the first leg 3-1 in London and went out on away goals . Arsene Wenger was downbeat and introspective after the game as he tried to sum up the disappointment of a fifth successive campaign ending in the first knockout round . The Arsenal boss claimed flippantly that it might be better to finish third in the group and drop into the Europa League than keep losing in the last 16 . His captain was equally sombre when asked how far this team was from seriously competing for the top prize . Per Mertesacker ( left ) talks with referee Svein Oddvar Moen during the match on Tuesday night . Mertesacker ( centre ) congratulates Aaron Ramsey on his goal against Monaco but it was n't enough . Mertesacker ( left ) is brought down to the ground after a challenge by Monaco 's Fabinho . ‘ Far , ’ said Mertesacker . ‘ Monaco were very under-estimated . But they deserved it by playing well in the first leg . We had one bad game and that was enough to get knocked out . We were missing some good fortune but we didn ’ t deserve it because we played so poorly in the first leg . ‘ It ’ s difficult after such a good performance to look back and think that in the first game we missed that mental level you need to compete at the highest level . You can see how good we are as a team and how well organised we can be . We need to consider that every single day in training and in games . That ’ s why we are so far away. ’ Wenger said : ‘ Maybe it would be better not to pass the group phase and play the Europa League than to be eliminated in the last 16 . We would have more chances to win a title. ’ Santi Cazorla ( right ) looks dejected after the match as Monaco players celebrate progression . Prince Albert II of Monaco ( centre ) is among those celebrating on a joyous night at Stade Louis II . The Arsenal manager insisted this was meant to be a comment about the abrupt and unforgiving nature of the Champions League in its knockout phase rather than a serious realignment of ambitions . Wenger ’ s team have won 13 of their last 15 games and are third in the Barclays Premier League . Aaron Ramsey thinks they can catch Manchester City and finish even higher . ‘ The top two is within our grasp , ’ said Ramsey . ‘ It ’ s only one point and anything can happen . We still have the FA Cup to go ... we ’ re still on for a successful season . ‘ We ’ re more than capable of beating anyone and it ’ s a case of being more wise over two games in Europe . Hopefully if we get a chance next year we can put that right. ’ Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger walks off the pitch at full-time after the Gunners failed to go through . Arsenal fans show their frustrations as their club is knocked out of the Champions League last-16 .
the UEFA Europa League admitted the Champions League is a distant dream . Arsenal beat Monaco 2-0 on Tuesday but were knocked out on away goals . Arsene Wenger pondered whether Arsenal would be better in Per Mertesacker . READ : Until English clubs learn to keep the ball they are doomed to fail . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .