"After a good flight of the solid boosters and core cryogenic stage, there was a problem with the upper stage and the desired orbit was not attained, " Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton announced after the mission.
"Arianespace Flight 142 placed its dual satellite payload in a lower than desired orbit following a problem with the launcher's upper stage, " the statement said.
Wenger acknowledged his team had not made the progress he had desired in the competition following their exit at the quarter-final stage last season to Chelsea, who are in the draw for the quarter-finals on 18 March.