The Frenchman is appealing for the kick-off to be moved to midday, even volunteering to waive the £265,000 (€435,000) TV appearance fee as he warned: ‘‘Sport must come first and everything else should be afterwards.’’

He added: ‘‘Since the start of the FA Cup, the games have all started at midday and suddenly, when we want that for the first time, it’s 5.30pm. Where have they got that from? It’s unbelievable.

‘‘It’s the worst time for us. We haven’t asked a lot of favours from the FA, even after they complained that no-one was taking the FA Cup seriously.’’

Wenger believes the FA should be fighting the corner of clubs left in Europe rather than, in his view, going along with the scheduling requirements of TV companies.

‘‘If we have four clubs in the Champions League next season it’s because of the performances of our clubs now. All the clubs benefit,’’ he insisted.

Arsenal’s appeal nevertheless looks doomed as the BBC are determined to have a prime-time slot for the tie of the round after paying so much for their TV deal.

They plumped for showing Arsenal on Saturday evening as the midday kick-off is a graveyard for viewing figures.

Wenger, whose side could face six games in 15 days, was not amused when he learned of the development ahead of his side’s Champions League tie away to Bayer Leverkusen.

His first reaction was to declare: ‘‘Thanks to the FA again for their confirmation and their big help.’’

Clearly riled, he continued: ‘‘If we had said Saturday at 5.30pm, the FA would have said 8.30pm.

‘‘We have so many games. We are the only club in the top four who are in the Champions League and the FA Cup as well as fighting for the championship.

‘‘We are strong enough to go for everything. I don’t think we’re asking for too much, we just want a reasonable delay between the games if we want to have a chance to survive as we have so many injuries.’’

‘‘Knowing the FA and the history of the FA Cup, unfortunately it looks like we will be playing at 5.35pm.

‘‘But we will still make an official request for a midday kick-off. We will fight the cause as much as we can.’’

The FA, however, argue that they have done all they can to protect the interests of clubs, supporters, police forces and TV companies in coming up with their compromise solution.

FA spokesman Paul Newman said: ‘‘We are sensitive to the commitments of clubs but we feel the balance is right to suit not just the clubs and the police but also the fans who have to travel to various locations.’’

Having agreed to the Arsenal game not taking place on the Sunday, a BBC spokesman added:

"We are more than happy to accommodate the teams involved.

‘‘We would never expect Arsenal to play on the Sunday before a Champions League tie on the Tuesday.’’

The kick-off time has also proved unpopular with Gunners fans, who face transport problems.

Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association chairman Steven Powell said: ‘‘There’s no scheduled train back to London after the game, so unless special trains are arranged we’ll have to rely on car and coach for a 600-mile round trip.

‘‘There will be many Arsenal supporters, particularly youngsters, who simply won’t be able to make it to the game.

‘‘This game is kicking off at 5.35 to suit the TV companies. It’s about time the companies thought about fans, rather than just their schedules.

‘‘If they insist on scheduling games at ridiculous times then they should help to ensure that fans can attend, by stumping up for special trains.

‘‘Every other live televised Saturday FA Cup game this season has kicked off at noon. A noon start, or even better 1pm, would enable thousands more fans to travel by train to this game.

‘‘It would mean an early start but at least fans could get back to London afterwards, and nobody would be excluded.

‘‘One of the things that makes the cup special is that more away supporters can attend. Gillingham fans on Saturday, and Liverpool fans in the previous round, helped to make a great atmosphere for both those games.’’

The other three quarter-finals all take place on the Sunday, with BBC televising Middlesbrough’s clash with Everton or Crewe at 1pm and Sky Sports covering the ties between Tottenham and Chelsea (4pm) and West Brom and Fulham (6.30pm).