Following the midweek exit to holders Manchester United, the Gunners - safe in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League - now have little other than pride left to play for ahead of the summer.

Like Arsenal, the Blues also crashed out of Europe in midweek, losing to a cruel stoppage-time away goal by Barcelona in controversial circumstances at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger believes the events of earlier this week will have an impact on how the players respond tomorrow.

"I believe Chelsea have the right to be more disappointed than us because they were qualified and you could not see how Barcelona could come back," said Wenger, whose side lie six points behind the Blues with three games left.

"The game on Sunday will be down to the team who deals best with the disappointment, who wants it more and who has more strength of character."

Wenger added: "Afterwards people always take definite conclusions, but I believe that the distance between the two teams is not as big as people make it today.

"For me it is not hard to try to re-motivate the players, but what is hard is to get the players' belief, desire and a bit of joy back in the squad.

"However, this team have no attitude problem, they always train focused and well."

Despite another trophyless campaign, Wenger has vowed not to change his policy of favouring youth over star names in the transfer market.

The Frenchman is renowned for drafting in young talent rather than splashing the cash on proven star names but, with the club again set to finish the season trophyless, there have been calls from fans for a change this year.

Wenger, though, has no plans to follow the likes of Chelsea's lead and will instead make only minimal alterations to his playing squad.

Reflecting on his side's league showing, as well as their Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United, he said: "We are all very down and frustrated but it is not down to spending money. It is down to sticking with our policy.

"Chelsea have spent magic money and still not won the European Cup. I believe our team has developed well but at the moment we are still a bit short.

"Of course I'll try to bring in one or two in the summer and whoever we get will not be short of experience.

"But the priority is to stay with the squad we have.

"What am I supposed to do, kick out a quality young player like Walcott, Fabregas, Diaby or Bendtner who is already in his national team?"

Wenger also dismissed Emmanuel Adebayor's comments that the team had gone backwards this term.

"I don't take much notice of the comments of the players. They're not coaches. They are responsible for their own performance and not an assessment of the team.

"Players at any club say they want to sign big names but never say they need someone in their position."

Wenger confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner has been fined for his behaviour after the United match, when he was photographed leaving a nightclub in the early hours with his jeans pulled down.