The Gunners have slid to fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Everton going into their game with West Ham at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Arsenal, who have played in the Champions League for 16 consecutive seasons, set the early pace in the title race and were leading the table as recently as 20 January.
Arsenal beat Wigan 4-2 on penalties on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final, increasing the prospect of ending their nine-year trophy drought.
'Reverse Position'
Wenger has often been criticised for prioritising a top-four finish over winning a trophy, and once again he was at pains to emphasise the importance of competing with Europe's best sides.
"For many years I was sitting here and had to convince you that it was important that we were in the top four - now it is in a reverse position, you say to me 'you realise how important it is for us'.
"It is vital to me to do it. I want this club to play in the top-level competition, and for that you want to be in the Champions League.
"The pain of not having it? I would like them [the players] rather to concentrate on the pleasure to be in it.
"It is vital for the young players as well. You learn more by playing against Bayern or Barcelona or Real Madrid than if you play in the Europa League, that is for sure."
Wenger admitted having another important game so soon after the gruelling 120 minutes at Wembley was "not welcome", but said he believed the victory could lift his players.
"If we had gone out [of the FA Cup], it would really have been terrible. The fact that we come out in a positive mood will help us to recover. I believe physically we can cope with it," he said.
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