LONDON - Arsene Wenger says he takes “massive satisfaction” from Arsenal making the Champions League knockout stages for a 13th-straight year.The Gunners secured their last-16 spot with a 2-0 win over Montpellier at home on Wednesday. Only Real Madrid’s 16 successive seasons in the knockout stages can better the Gunners’ European run.“It is a massive satisfaction. I am at times with my back to the wall, accused of not spending fortunes,” he said. “If you look at how many teams have done that in Europe, you will find very few and that shows it is not easy.”Arsenal have failed to win a trophy in seven years with Wenger being criticised for failing to spend big amounts to end the drought.Last summer Wenger brought in Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski for a combined fee of around £40m.However, Arsenal also allowed Robin van Persie to join Manchester United for £24m and Alex Song leave for Barcelona in a £15m deal.“It is important as well to show that we can do it, with the way we do it, that is with the club in a good financial situation and with the players coming from our youth development,” Wenger continued.“I think there are many different ways to be successful and I am glad our way is one of them.”
