Both Arsenal and Manchester City saw their Champions League dreams end as European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid knocked out the English teams. This comes as a damaging blow for both sides, as Manchester City looked to defend their treble and Arsenal looked to take a step closer towards the trophy they have never won but yet both teams lost by small margins. This also means the Premier League will not qualify for a fifth Champions League spot, as now all English competitors have been knocked out of the competition. This will come as bad news for teams such as Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester United
Yet there is a lingering question of why English clubs fail to replicate their league form in European competitions. Liverpool who have been on stark form despite many injuries, lost 3-0 at Anfield last week to Serie A's sixth place Atalanta in the Europa League and now must try the impossible in the reverse leg to try and book their spot in the semi finals. Teams such as Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have been coveted as some of the best and most in form teams in the world currently, especially as the three giants are currently battling each other for the Premier League but all three have had slip ups in their European journeys, which causes fans and pundits of other leagues to question whether these teams are worth all the praise.
Although many English clubs have had success in the Champions League and Europa League, there is a theme of not being constant or serial winners like a Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Despite having their worst season in their history, Bayern Munich were able to progress against a title charging Arsenal who have been revitalised with players returning from injury and Real Madrid once again came up against Manchester City and showed a composed and mature performance which further solidifies why they are the biggest and greatest team in the world with fourteen Champions leagues under their belt. English teams lack fear factor and until they are able to reach the heights of their European counterparts, they will continue to watch from behind as other European teams add to their history.