Wenger singing the Blues

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can "understand the pain" felt by Chelsea following their exit from the Champions League - but has no intentions of showing the Blues much sympathy at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

It has been a difficult week for the Blues, who saw their hopes of retaining the Barclays Premiership title dented as Manchester United opened up a five-point gap at the top before they then suffered Champions League semi-final heartache at Liverpool.

Wenger takes no sense of satisfaction from the misfortunes of other teams, however, and said: "Of course I feel sorry for Chelsea. The players are players and you understand that no matter how rich a club is, you understand how painful it is to go out as a player or a coach. You respect that."

Although the Gunners could effectively end the Blues' title challenge, Wenger insists proving their own worth is the only motivation his players need.

"For us, it is a chance to beat them," he added. "We just want to win our games and to show we are ready for next season to fight at the top.

"It will be a good opportunity to do that on Sunday, to show how good we can be next season."

Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup final which was marred by a mass brawl and resulted in players from both sides being suspended as well as £100,000 fines for the clubs.

Wenger, though, maintains Sunday will not be about exacting revenge.

He said: "Our desire is to beat them. If we played Manchester United, then it would be exactly the same."