In the space of 12 days, beginning with the Champions League quarter-final, first leg this evening, Arsène Wenger's team face a formidable landscape in which to break new ground. They play Liverpool three times in seven days, the first two meetings at the Emirates Stadium, followed by a visit to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

Perhaps only once have Arsenal faced such a demanding run, when “the Invincibles” came unstuck in two competitions four years ago. They were derailed by Chelsea at the same stage of Europe's premier club competition and United in the FA Cup semi-finals, but got back on track in the league with victory against Liverpool.

Wenger needs no reminding of the bearing that the opening match of the quartet can have on the others, and Arsenal's campaign. “It will set the tone for the rest and define our season,” he said. “It will be my highest challenge. We are on the train and we want to stay on it. We feel we can beat Liverpool, AC Milan [whom they knocked out in the previous round], everybody in the world.”

Wenger's team were eliminated by Rafael Benítez's Valencia side in the second group stage five years ago, but the Frenchman has since had the upper hand against his Liverpool counterpart: five wins and one draw in nine meetings in all competitions. He predicted that the fear of away goals will invite a cagey encounter. “Every goal is so vital that the focus and intensity is naturally a bit higher,” Wenger said.

“Liverpool will make it tight and play on the break more than in the league. We both play at a high pace so it should be an exciting game. The surprises will come with the quality of the players and the talents of the teams.”

Arsenal are eight points ahead of Liverpool in the league and outplayed their rivals in a draw at Anfield in October. If anything, the London club's failings have been against the lesser sides in this campaign.

Arsenal are unbeaten in eight matches at home against Liverpool, winning the past four. “We are really focused and believe in our quality,” Wenger said. “I want them to play with no fear, just with belief that we are a great side and we can achieve it.”

Wenger's one selection decision will be whether to play Emmanuel Eboué at right back, in place of the injured Bacary Sagna, or in midfield. Emmanuel Adebayor will return to the side after the forward's barren spell of one goal in nine matches. Kolo Touré is likely to revert to central defence to cover the speed of Fernando Torres after playing at full back on Saturday.

“Torres is not the most important, it is the team,” Wenger said. “He is a good player but if he does not have a good Steven Gerrard, then the game will be much easier for us. If we can stop him, we can stop Liverpool. They understand each other - the way they play, pass and move. We have to keep them quiet. They are good in the air and on the counter-attack on the flanks. When they get crosses in for Torres, he is dangerous.”

Arsenal clung on in contention in the league by overturning a two-goal deficit with ten men against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, but they remain six points adrift of United. “When our backs are to the wall, the players have extraordinary resources,” Wenger said. “We had a little dip recently but we got our confidence back [against Bolton] when our mental strength was rewarded. United have the advantage but a difficult schedule. We can win the championship. Don't count on us to give up.”

Arsenal reached the Champions League final on the only occasion that they progressed from one of their four quarter-finals, against Juventus two years ago. Wenger is yet to win the competition. “Of course I want to win it,” he said, before he joked: “If I stopped my career every day and thought: ‘Do I commit suicide, but I haven't won the Champions League?' ... I would hope not, as I hope I will have won it by then.”