TV fixtures row grows as Wenger reveals his frustration

"The problem is the package we sell, because it doesn't give us any freedom any more to get the fixtures when we would like to have them. This is maybe somewhere we pay the price for the money we want."

Despite the setback, Wenger vowed to field as strong a side as possible against Burnley and will be boosted by the return of Theo Walcott, William Gallas and Eduardo from injury.

Walcott has been out since November with a shoulder injury, while Eduardo and Gallas have recovered from hamstring and thigh problems respectively.

Aaron Ramsey is also likely to feature and has targeted cup revenge after the Championship side humbled Arsenal earlier this season.

The 18-year-old midfielder was part of a youthful Gunners side that lost 2-0 at Turf Moor in the fifth round of the Carling Cup last December.

He said: "We are at home again against Burnley and we know all about them after they knocked us out of the League Cup. I've watched them a few times this season and they are doing really well.

They are not just a cup team, they've done well in the League as well so they will come to Emirates full of confidence.

"But if we can repeat our performance against Cardiff in the previous round, we will come through it to reach the next round."

With key players returning and the gap to fourth-place Aston Villa cut to three points, the momentum appears to be firmly with the Gunners in the race for Champions League football.

Wenger said: "We want to play with the best and therefore we want to qualify. I believe that you cannot envisage what will happen if it doesn't work. You give your best and make sure it works.

We will give our best and it will work.
"It is down to our performances.

I believe in our strengths, motivation and quality and that's why I am confident we will do it. It is a marathon season for Aston Villa and that's why I believe the top quality is consistency."

Captain Cesc Fabregas is still two weeks away from a return and the Spaniard was quoted as saying he would consider his future at the club should Wenger leave at the end of his contract in 2011.

Although the Gunners boss insists he is firmly committed to Arsenal's cause, he added: "I hope his future will last longer than mine because I think he can still be here in ten years."