Arsene Wenger demands that away goals in Champions League knockout ties should count after extra-time, not full-time

The Gunners were eliminated by 'outdated' rule this week

James Orr
Thursday 19 March 2015 12:07 GMT
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A distraught Mesut Ozil reacts after Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday
A distraught Mesut Ozil reacts after Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has argued that the away goals rule should count after extra-time in competitions, not full-time.

The Gunners were knocked out of the Champions League by the rule on Tuesday night after drawing 3-3 on aggregate with Monaco.

His side won the second leg of the Last 16 tie at the Stade Louis 2-0, but were eliminated after losing the first leg 3-1.

If the Champions League had the rule that Wenger is proposing, the tie would instead have gone into extra-time.

Wenger is not the first to call for the rule to be changed -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed the same view last October saying it had "fallen behind the times."

"The rule was created in the 1960s and the weight of the away goal is too great today," said Wenger.

Chelsea were also knocked out of the competition by the rule last week.

"Two English teams have gone out on away goals and that should be questioned.

"The rule was created in the 1960s to favour attacking teams but football has changed."

While the Champions League still has the "outdated" rule, one competition that does use what Wenger is asking for is the League Cup.

Away goals do count after extra-time in the second leg of League Cup semi-finals.

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