Arsenal braced for key moment of season

The next two weeks will be the defining moment of Arsenal's season as they bid for domestic and European success, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal face Liverpool twice in the Champions League quarter-finals and once in the Premier League before tackling league leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13.

"It will be the highest challenge for me," Wenger told a news conference at the team's training ground on Tuesday. "The next 10 days or so will define our season because I strongly believe that we are in the championship race.

"Our next two games in the championship are Liverpool and United and then, on top of that, we have two Champions League games so this next period is vital. And the impact of the first game of that sequence is also vital."

That first game will be at home to Liverpool on Wednesday in their Champions League first leg, Arsenal having knocked out European champions AC Milan in the previous round.

"Europe is all about being in a good shape on the day," said Wenger. "The championship is a marathon ... Liverpool have always taken off at this time in the title race.

"We have the belief we can beat anybody in any competition. It doesn't matter if it is Liverpool or anyone else. In these kinds of game, it is down to the teams who grab the chances they create. That is what makes the difference in the end."

Arsenal are third in the Premier League on 70 points, one behind Chelsea but six adrift off champions United with just six games left to play this season.

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure took a more practical approach to Wednesday, when Arsenal will face Liverpool's partnership of Spain striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard, playing in an attacking midfield role. Torres has been in the spotlight with 28 goals in his first season in English football, while Gerrard has added 19 of his own in his new role.

"Torres isn't the most important, it's the team," Toure said. "Gerrard is really good. If we can stop Steven Gerrard we can stop the team. If they don't have a good Steven Gerrard the game will be much easier for us."

Picture: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks to Cesc Fabregas during a team training session in London Colney.