Lambert aware of size of task

Published Nov. 18, 2011 1:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Canaries have impressed on their return to the 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," said Lambert in 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 for tomorrow," 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." The Norwich manager added: "The pleasing thing for me is that we have never really been out of any game, we have always been in it. "Things are really tight, as I think it will be throughout the season, but it is a brilliant league to play in, and we have to do our utmost to stay in it. "However, we can play really well and still get turned over, because that is the magnitude of the teams in this league." 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.