Norwich manager Paul Lambert admits there is no hiding from the magnitude of facing a rampant Arsenal on Saturday - but maintains his team must "give it a go" at Carrow Road.
The Canaries have impressed on their return to the Barclays Premier League for the first time since 2005, climbing to ninth with three wins from the opening 11 matches.
However, despite positive displays away at Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, where they battled to a creditable 1-1 draw, Lambert knows his squad's top-flight credentials will be tested to the limit when the in-form Gunners head to Norfolk for the televised lunchtime encounter.
"As hard as Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea were, Arsenal are a top, top side. They are a brilliant football side and we are going to have to play above ourselves to get something," Lambert told a press conference.
"There is no point in trying to kid anybody on, Arsenal are a brilliant side, but we are at home and we will try to go at them."
Lambert added: "We are going to play against one of the best teams in Europe, not just Britain, and Robin van Persie is playing really well at the moment, scoring goals as if it is going out of fashion.
"I am delighted we have the chance to face them, and when you are there, you may as well give it a go.
"Everyone will come thinking Arsenal are going to win, but I know the lads will give us everything they have got."
Lambert believes the international break came at "the right time" for his squad, who have yet to keep a clean sheet after mistakes at the back again proved costly in a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa.
"I can understand people saying the opposite, but for us it was a chance to recharge and hopefully we will be ready," Lambert said.
"There have been some bad defensive errors, and some of the goals have been our fault, but there has also been good play from teams which you just cannot stop.
"If we can eradicate the errors, hopefully we will be better for it."
Lambert has no fresh injuries worries, with defender Russell Martin fit again after having to pull out of the Scotland squad because of an ankle problem.
However, centre-half Elliott Ward has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury and the 26-year-old, who has yet to feature this season, may need surgery.
Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal not to send themselves back to "Hell" by underestimating the challenge which awaits at Norwich.
The Gunners have slowly climbed the Barclays Premier League table with four successive wins, as well as topping their Champions League group and reaching the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
It is a stark contrast to the end of September, where three defeats from the opening five games - including an 8-2 mauling at Manchester United - had seen them sink as low as 17th.
Wenger knows the importance of picking up from where his men left off before the international break when they head to a packed Carrow Road.
He said: "The championship is vital for us that we come back from where we were.
"We came from Hell and if we have learned something it is to put 100% effort in every single game.
"We just grabbed the momentum recently. The team is getting stronger from game to game so overall I expect that momentum to keep going and for us to go from strength to strength."
The Arsenal manager added: "We have the confidence from a good run. After that it is down to being professional.
"A professional is capable of focusing on his targets and that is where we can show that. We need to focus again very quickly on our run."
Wenger insists he will resist the temptation to give the likes of in-form captain Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott a rest as the Gunners target maximum points.
He said: "We are in a situation where every game is becoming extremely important and is becoming a big test. To repeat the performance we had at Chelsea is very important for us.
"Norwich are a very good side and I consider them a difficult Premier League away game.
"They are a dynamic side who plays quick and dynamic football, so if you are not completely focused and up for it, you have no chance against them.
"We are warned that we need to be at our best."
With Kieran Gibbs set for several weeks out after a hernia operation and Carl Jenkinson having a stress fracture in his back, Arsenal are short of cover in defence, given Bacary Sagna is also sidelined because of a broken ankle.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG