Arsene Wenger fully expects Arsenal to raise their game when they face Barcelona in Tuesday's Champions League return tie at the Nou Camp.
The Gunners were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, although they closed the gap slightly on Premier League leaders Manchester United, who lost 3-1 at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Wenger concedes with such a massive European tie ahead of them it is perhaps understandable his team were unable to see off the Black Cats, although Andrey Arshavin's second-half goal was incorrectly ruled offside.
"Barcelona has been a little bit in the heads of the players, it is always subconscious," said the Arsenal manager.
"However, I still feel that, especially in the second half, we did enough to win the [Sunderland] game but it didn't work.
"It was a match short on chances, so of course these type of decisions are frustrating, and also when you look at the impact it has on the season, because recently we have really been punished.
"However, now we have a big game on Tuesday and the size of the game will help.
"The team is mentally strong and the season is not over."
Arsenal will assess captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) before making a final decision on the travelling squad, for which Alex Song (knee) is a major doubt.
"We need some fresh legs for the Nou Camp because we will have to run a lot," Wenger said.
However, the Arsenal manager insisted his team will not look to park the bus on what is only a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg.
"We have not enough security to sit back and defend. You can't go to Barcelona, play for a 0-0 and not try to score," Wenger said.
"It's also not the personality of this team. We will try to score when we get the ball back."
Wenger felt Wilshere came in for some unnecessary rough treatment from Sunderland and was not protected enough by the referee.
"Every good player has to live with being kicked, that means he has to get off his feet at the right moment for a fraction of a second, see what is happening around him," the Arsenal boss said.
"But there were a few fouls on him which were not given, and that was surprising to me."
Sunderland had lost four straight league games before stopping the rot with a battling, if somewhat fortunate, point with substitute Marouane Chamakh hitting the crossbar and man-of-the-match goalkeeper Simon Mignolet making a string of fine saves.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, though, knows more challenges lie ahead before anyone at the Stadium of Light can consider themselves safe from being dragged into a relegation battle.
"When you see the way the table is, it is incredible," he said.
"Thirty two points was enough last year, so who knows? West Ham went down with 42 points one year and it looks like it could be one of those seasons, so we still have a bit of work to do."
The former United defender won the Premier League three times while at Old Trafford and feels Arsenal have the makings of champions.
"Obviously the manager has been their and done it, worn the T-shirt, so he has fantastic experience, but it is that first one which is always the most difficult," said the 50-year-old.
"This is a fantastic young Arsenal team, and for me it is only a matter of time - whether it is this year, your guess is as good as mine.
"But once they win the first one, they will be fine."
