Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger explains why clubs can't always use TV money to lower ticket prices

Wenger insisted the pressure on clubs to spend in the transfer market was pushing up prices, meaning they need to supplement their transfer budgets

Argument: Arsene Wenger says it's not always possible to distribute TV money

Arsene Wenger has insisted it is not always possible for clubs to use the vast income from television revenue to lower ticket prices for fans.

The Arsenal manager insisted that the pressure on clubs to constantly buy more players leads to out of control inflation in the transfer market, meaning they then need the TV money for player fees and wages.

Speaking at his Friday press conference, Wenger said: “We are a company who on one side people want you to buy more players, the prices of players goes up so we need to supplement the ability to buy new players.

“The pressure on spending will become even greater and you can not always distribute the money to other people.”

Wenger was responding to a general question about ticket prices after a press officer had banned the previous question.

Anger: Fans display a protest banner about the price of tickets earlier in the season 

The Frenchman had initially been asked about Arsenal's decision to add a surcharge on to a match season ticket holders have already paid for.

The Arsenal season ticket includes a set number of cup games, meaning they are entitled to go to the upcoming game against Barcelona in the Champions League.

But the club wrote to Gold Members (season ticket holders) to tell them a surcharge would be added to their renewal for the 2016/17 season due to the calibre of opposition.

Season ticket holders can opt out of the surcharge, but they will forfeit their right to go to the Barcelona game.

Windfall: £5billion in TV money will be distributed in the summer

The club's email to fans said: “As a result of our continued progress in cup competitions this season, our FA Cup Fifth Round home match against Hull City on the weekend of 19/20/21/22 February is the sixth cup credit for the 2015/16 season and will be a category C match.

“Consequently, our UEFA Champions League Round of 16 fixture against FC Barcelona, to be played on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 will be our seventh cup tie credit of the season and has been designated as a category A fixture.

“Due to the number of matches played this season and the categories assigned to them, there will be an additional cost to your season ticket for the 2016/17 of [between £18-30 depending on the price of your seat] . This additional cost will be added to your renewal price for next season.”

The move has sparked outrage among fans considering both the club's rude financial health and the additional £5billion in TV money set to be distributed among Premier League clubs in the summer.