Champions League reform could lead to Arsenal breaking away: Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed the English Premiership champions could boycott the Champions League following UEFA's decision to cut back on the number of fixtures earlier this week.

From next season, the second group stage of the tournament is to be axed in favour of a knockout format, a move which could cost clubs like Arsenal millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Despite Wenger being one of the leading critics of an overloaded schedule he said that reducing the Champions League fixtures was not the answer.

"We're having to consider alternatives to the Champions League because of financial commitments," the Frenchman told the News of the World on Sunday.

"I can't say we will walk away from the competition - not yet, because that decision is not just down to me.

"But we are not going forward with the new set-up. UEFA had a choice of going forwards or backwards - and it has gone backwards.

"Looking at the financial state of European football, not many of the bigger clubs can afford less income. The other alternative is to renegotiate all Champions League contracts."