Arsene Wenger has predicted that what might be his last attempt to win Arsenal’s first ever European Cup will also be the club’s best opportunity in recent memory.

The competition has generally been dominated by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich since the all-English final of 2008 but Wenger believes that a subtle power-shift is taking place that will make this the most open Champions League in recent years.

Manchester City have already beaten Barcelona this season while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both facing the prospect of finishing only second in their respective groups. Arsenal will top Group A if they beat Paris St Germain at the Emirates on Wednesday and, after losing at the last 16 stage in each of the last six years, as well as three draws in their last four Premier League matches, Wenger has told his team that they have something to prove.

“We have been a bit stuttering recently,” he said. “We played Tottenham; we were 1-0 up and didn’t win the game, so we need to show that we can do that. When you play at home against a big team, you want to win. It sends a statement out.”