Paul Merson says Premier League is still best in world - so why the big flop from English clubs in Europe??

Arsenal and Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday, with Liverpool and West Ham on the brink of elimination in the Europa League - so why have English sides struggled in Europe this season?

The Gunners failed to fire in a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, losing 3-2 on aggregate, while Real Madrid endured a Manchester City onslaught to hold onto a 1-1 draw (4-4 on aggregate) and win 4-3 on penalties.

As a result, there will be no English teams in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019/20.

Things also look gloomy for English sides in the Europa League with Liverpool looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit at Atalanta and West Ham trailing 2-0 against newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Aston Villa remain England's top hope for progression to the semi-finals in Europe, going into their second leg against Lille with a 2-1 lead in the Europa Conference League.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Paul Merson insists it is not time for the Premier League clubs to panic, but he believes the intensity of England's top flight is having an impact on the success of English clubs in Europe this season.

"The problem the English teams have is the Premier League," he told Sky Sports. "The intensity of our league is off the scale.

"Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool are involved in one of the best title races in the history of the Premier League. It's a huge battle for the title with two points separating the top three and that takes a lot out of you physically and mentally.

"I don't want to make excuses for the teams. Arsenal didn't turn up. They weren't great. Man City destroyed Real but the luck wasn't on their side.

"However, please don't let anyone tell you the Premier