Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal are better placed than ever before to achieve Champions League success - and insisted they would not be muscled out of their stride at home or abroad.
Boss Arsene Wenger also vowed his side would soon be "flying high" again after taking time to recover from the shock of their defeat at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have been left somewhat battered and bruised in physical encounters over the past few weeks, with Sol Campbell and Edu joining Gilberto, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gael Clichy on the injury list.
Their unbeaten league run also ended with that defeat by Manchester United, while only a last-gasp equaliser by Robin van Persie saved them from another setback against Southampton.
Jose Reyes has also seemingly been targeted in both of those games, as well as by Panathinaikos, whom Arsenal face again tonight in their Champions League group tie at Highbury.
Vieira observed: "We expect a tough game. Physically they are a really strong side. But we can respond to that as we're quite strong as well. We're not afraid if we play against a team that tries to press us as we can respond.
"We have some physical players too. We try to play football but, if there's a tackle to make, we will make it."
As for Reyes, meanwhile, the Arsenal captain added: "Don't worry about him. He may not look that strong but he responds really well after any challenge.
"We've been surprised at how he's come into training every morning, showing no pain. He's a strong lad."
Arsenal are now second in their Champions League group, with five points from three games, having shown a worrying inability to hold on to leads in Europe away to Rosenborg and Panathinaikos.
However, despite having so far failed to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals, Vieira believes the team has grown in stature in Europe.
He said: "I really believe this year we have a good chance as we are strong at the back, really strong up front and we're not too bad in midfield either.
"We believe in ourselves and we know we can do well in the Champions League.
"Our target is to go as far as we can and, of course, to win it."
