Soccer: Wenger rues the season that could have been

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Photo / AP

Arsene Wenger claims he will look back on the season as a missed opportunity even if Arsenal clinch a place in the Champions League this weekend.

Wenger's side can guarantee their participation in Europe's elite club competition for the 17th successive year with a victory over West Bromwich Albion tonight.

They won't even need to win their final home game of the season if fifth placed Everton fell to Manchester City earlier this morning — a result which would end the Toffees' hopes of finishing fourth. With silverware proving elusive to Arsenal for most of the last decade, maintaining a Champions League presence has become a cause for celebration for the Gunners boss.

And, with a chance to finally end the club's nine-year trophy drought coming shortly in the FA Cup final against Hull on May 17, it would have been no surprise if Wenger was in buoyant mood during his weekly press conference on Friday.

But instead the Arsenal manager was in reflective mood as he contemplated his team's failure to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

The north Londoners led the table and looked genuine title contenders before fading badly in the new year.

"When we came out of Christmas, we were in a strong position and what you want then is to have your strong players available in March and April, but we had too many injuries," said Wenger, who lost the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere for long periods. "It is very difficult. You can have one or two, but after that when you have too many injuries you always have to play the same players and that is detrimental. "The regret we have is that too many players were out at the same time between Christmas and April."

Arsenal's dismal record in away games against their title rivals — they were thrashed at Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool — is widely regarded as the key to their unsuccessful title bid. But Wenger suggested their failure to beat Aston Villa, Everton and Swansea at home was just as damaging.

"The restriction we had was when we only made draws and not wins, that is where the missing points are at the moment because we are very close to the top," Wenger said.

"Maybe one or two wins at home would have made that difference.

"The regret we have is that we have been remarkably consistent but against some teams who did not fight for the Premier League title we could not claim the points."

Wenger's team have been back to their best since Ramsey's return from injury - reeling off three successive victories to overhaul Everton in the top-four race. And Wenger is determined to finish with two more wins in case either City or Chelsea slip-up, which would give the Gunners a chance to secure third place.

- AAP