Arsene Wenger declared his Arsenal side are ready to "take the handbrake off" and put themselves back on course for the Barclays Premier League title - starting with victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Gunners have seen their lead at the top of the table cut to just two points by Manchester United following three straight draws.

The champions also hold a match in hand on Arsenal, who could find themselves back in second place by the time they kick off at Emirates Stadium against relegation-batters Boro in the early-evening game.

Despite dumping holders AC Milan out of the Champions League with a superb display in the San Siro last week, the Gunners have secured only one victory in six matches.

Chelsea are also still in the title hunt, and Wenger knows his side are now entering a crucial phase of their campaign.

Matches against both United and the Blues are fast approaching - not to mention three clashes with Liverpool inside the space of a week next month following the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals.

Wenger, though, insists his youngsters are in the right frame of mind to meet their challenges head on.

"I feel we are ready to take off again," declared the Arsenal manager.

"It is the right moment for us to take the handbrake off and get going again.

"With nine games to go in the Premier League, every match has a massive importance."

Wenger stressed: "The players are ready. There is a mixture of focus and tension in training.

"Pressure was on us at the start of the season when we weren't expected to be in the top seven or eight.

"Now we go for the championship. We are very positive and relaxed about that.

"I believe that team has been remarkably strong mentally. On that front, I have no worries at all.

"We have given a lot and we are ready to give more to win the Premier League and Champions League.

"You get into a period when every game can define your season but that is what you want.

"The worst is to be out of the championship race in September and the Champions League in October."

Striker Robin van Persie is in contention to start against Boro - the only side to have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League back in December.

The Dutchman, 24, returned to action as a second-half substitute at the JJB Stadium last weekend following the latest lay-off of what has been an injury-plagued campaign.

It was a first appearance since January 9 for Van Persie, who opened the season in superb form with seven goals from 11 games before being hampered by knee and muscle problems.

With Croatia forward Eduardo set to miss the run-in because of a broken leg, the return of Van Persie could just help kick-start the Gunners again.

Wenger said: "Robin can give you the final ball, score free-kicks, he is dangerous on corners and he can score.

"He can give us the final push."

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