Arsenal v AS Roma Arsenal at their sleekest look as if they are beyond the opposition's reach, but the day has arrived when they must wrestle for achievement.

Although Arsene Wenger normally prefers a wry turn of phrase, he had a touch of Don King about him as he promoted this evening's match with Roma at Highbury.

"It is the moment of truth for us," he said.

Although the club's record in Group B of the Champions League has been enigmatic, we should soon have answers regarding the worth of this team. They are unbeaten in it, but have followed victory in Italy with three draws. Should they and Ajax win this evening, both will go through to the quarter-finals, but there are grizzlier possibilities.

Arsenal could yet find their fortunes resting on a trip to Valencia in the Mestalla next week. The side has to bring results into line with its reputation, but Wenger is not ready to temper the admiration he has for his squad.

"I have seen the true measure of my squad and I am convinced we will see a top-level Arsenal," he said of the Roma match. "I am convinced we have to go for it, play our usual game and not worry too much."

His burden of worries may be lighter than usual. Thierry Henry, scorer of a hat-trick in Rome, had cramp in a calf muscle during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final but he trained yesterday and will be assessed this morning.

Though Sol Campbell and Martin Keown have injuries both could recover today. Where fitness is concerned, Wenger feels reasonably fortunate and knows the luck needs to hold.

"We have a big squad and we can rotate players," he said. "If the injury situation remains as it is at the moment I think we have a very good chance."

He was referring to Arsenal's capacity to cope with a welter of fixtures in the Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League. Wenger may not have been sure whether he was boasting or worrying as he referred to the severity of the schedule if Arsenal prosper on all fronts.

Roma, who scrambled a draw in the derby match with Lazio on Saturday, have concerns of a different order and Fabio Capello is likely to be sacked unless his team return to the Champions League next season. His team are not quite out of it in the group, even though they are bottom of it.

They collected their first points with an almost inconceivable 3-0 win at Valencia a fortnight ago.

After Arsenal's and Ajax's manoeuvring in two draws there should be an air of abandonment at Highbury.

"We always want to go forward and try to score," said Wenger. "To put Roma in that situation as well promises a very interesting game. Valencia and Ajax played against us just to defend. This will be different."

Guardian Service

ARSENAL (probable): Seaman; Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Van Bronckhorst; Wiltord, Gilberto, Vieira, Pires; Henry, Bergkamp.

ROMA (probable): Pelizzoli; Panucci, Samuel, Aldair, Candela; Cafu, Emerson, Tommasi, Lima; Cassano, Totti.