By Friday morning, March 20, there will be no English clubs left in European competition. What a damning indictment on the ‘Best League in the World TM’.

I’m writing this on Wednesday morning, fresh from seeing Arsenal snatch abject failure from the jaws of historic glory in Monaco on Tuesday night and hours before Man City get turfed out of the Champions League in the last 16 at Barcelona.

I don’t have faith that Everton will fare any better than City in Kiev as they seek to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Hull. Not a single quarter-final between them. Let’s be clear here... that is shocking.

There were also no English Champions League quarter-finalists in 2012/13, the first year that had happened since 1995/96 when Blackburn went out in the group stages, although at least Spurs and Chelsea avoided such humiliation in the Europa.

Spain had three of the last-eight in Europe’s premier competition last year and – if my not-so-bold prediction comes true – they will have the same number again this year. France have two. France!

However, rather than look at the cause of these issues – the issues which saw Liverpool, who went close to winning the Premier League title last year – get ousted in the Champions League group stage and then go out in the last 32 of the ‘consolation prize’ of the Europa League this season – the national game seems to stick its head in the sand.

When asked if Monaco deserved to go through, after winning 3-1 at the Emirates and losing 2-0 at home, Arsene Wenger – a man who always reaches the latter stages of any breathtaking arrogance competitions – insisted ‘I don’t believe so. Every defeat hurts but we didn’t lose’.

Erm.... sorry to break it to you Arsene... February 25... that day when Monaco scored three goals at your ground and your own fans booed you off... that was you losing.

In two-legged cup football, I’m afraid you’re not only as good as your last game.

English clubs do not have any divine right to turn up and win games, at home or abroad. Just because more people watch our ‘product’ than any other does not mean it’s better.

‘Look how great the Premier League is, Burnley beat Man City – that wouldn’t happen in Spain.’

No, you’re quite right... but does bad teams beating top teams mean the league is good, or does it actually mean it’s not that great as even the top teams can lose to bad ones?

I’m edging towards the latter. Particularly after seeing the much-hyped so-called Champions League pre-qualifier between Man United and Tottenham on Sunday.

Two teams which, on that showing, would have been lucky to avoid relegation 10 years ago.

Nope, I’ve said it before this season and I stick by it.

This is the worst Premier League standard for a long time and the level of European success reflects it.