Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a very tough week (Image: Getty)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in his team's ability to prove their championship mettle during a crucial week.
Despite injuries and suspensions hampering his squad during a series of challenging away games - including the North London derby against Tottenham, a Champions League match against Atalanta, and a title showdown with Manchester City - Arteta remains optimistic.
The Gunners' boss hasn't ruled out the participation of captain Martin Odegaard in the derby, claiming the Norwegian midfielder is "super positive" and hasn't given up on winning his fitness battle.
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Despite the absence of suspended England midfielder Declan Rice and Odegaard being a doubt, Arteta believes his team is ready for the challenge and must demonstrate their capabilities during this difficult run of fixtures.
Arteta said: "It's always difficult against the opponents that we will be facing, for sure. But we have tremendous players and a really good squad. We are really hungry and we want to do it.
"To deliver what we want, we need to be able to respond to these scenarios and the team is ready. When you are able to perform, able to deliver and win those games, it's a huge boost, we know that and that's why we're going to try so hard."
Arteta also emphasised the team will head to Tottenham with "unbelievable energy", but warned that focusing solely on the next three games could mean they run out of steam after that.
Arteta added: "If we look where we're going to be at the end of May and the amount of games that we have to play and the level and the challenges ahead, we cannot think like this. We're going to run out of oxygen.
"I want to have the energy and enthusiasm for the next day, the next game and prepare that in the best possible way and that's what we're going to do. We're going to go to Spurs with unbelievable energy and believe that we're going to go there to be ourselves and try to win the game.
Odegaard sustained an ankle injury while away with Norway, but a scan on Tuesday has given the Gunners hope he won't be sidelined for as long as what was first feared.
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The Arsenal skipper will undergo further treatment and tests, while Riccardo Calafiori is also a fitness worry. Gabriel Jesus should return after another injury setback.
On Odegaard, Arteta commented: "We need some more tests. Let's see what happens in the next day or so. He's super positive about everything. Martin wants to be here every day, but we have to wait and see. Players with 48 hours are always available. Let's see what happens."
