Premier League Teams' Poor Showing in Europe: A Sign of the EPL's Decline?

In the aftermath of Manchester United and bitter rivals City's Europa League exits, unanswered questions are being raised as to whether it is a sign of the mighty Premier League's decline.

Chelsea, who qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League following a 5-4 aggregate win over Napoli on Wednesday, are the only remaining English team in the two European club competitions.

In recent years, Premier League clubs have been dominant in Europe, perhaps proof as to why the English top-flight league is considered the best in world football. But what does this year's poor performance translate to?

Since 2005, it is only in 2010 that a Premier League side failed to reach the final of the Champions League. In fact, the 2008 final was an all-English affair (involving Chelsea and Manchester United), the first time that both Champions League finalists were English. It was a proud year for English football and the Football Association (FA).

This season, however, English clubs have been far from spectacular in the European stage.

Manchester United failed to make it out of their favourable-looking Champions League group, finishing third, behind Benfica and minnows FC Basel.

The Red Devils were however handed a lifeline in the less prestigious Europa League, drawing Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the last-16.

Unlike past years when English clubs have underrated the competition, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson swore to fight to take it seriously. And he was true to his word, fielding a full-strength side over the two legs.

But despite Ferguson's efforts, United crashed out of the competition. The English champions were also notably out-played by Bilbao in both ties. The fact that the Old Trafford club lost both encounters is embarrassing, at the very least.

Manchester City were just as disappointing, too. The cash-rich side, despite boasting of the most expensive collection of players in club football, finished third in their Champions League group, with Bayern Munich and Napoli qualifying for the knock-out stage at the Citizens' expense.

Dropping to the Europa League, City again failed to impress. Roberto Mancini's men were knocked out of the competition by Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

For Arsenal, their Champions League dream was ended by Italian giants AC Milan in the round-of-16 stage. The Gunners were disappointingly poor in the first leg at the San Siro, losing 4-0. And despite a spirited performance in the return fixture at the Emirates, the Londoners fell just short.

Chelsea, despite not being at their vintage best in the first leg of their last-16 tie against Napoli, put in one of the greatest performances in recent history in the return leg - overturning their 3-1 first-leg defeat with a 4-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge. They remain England's only hope in Europe this season.

Stoke and Tottenham were the Premier League's other representatives in Europe...in the Europa League. The Potters bowed out of the competition in the last-32 stage following a 2-0 aggregate loss to Valencia, while Tottenham failed to make it out of their group.

In stark contrast, Spanish sides have been impressive thus far. La Liga, considered the second-best league competition in Europe (behind the Premier League) boasts 5 teams remaining in European contention: two in the Champions League (joint favourites Barcelona and Real Madrid) and three in the Europa League (Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao).