Tomas Rosicky maintains Arsenal have the strength in depth to stay
the course over the race for the Premier League title.
The Gunners moved four points clear at the top of the table
following their 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Arsene Wenger takes his men back to the north east on Sunday to
face struggling Middlesbrough - where injured quartet Cesc
Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Hleb and Robin van Persie are still
not expected to feature.
However, despite fielding something of a makeshift stating XI at St
James' Park, the Gunners took an early lead and then stood firm in
the face of a second-half onslaught from the home side.
Czech winger Rosicky believes such resilience shows the Gunners
have got what it takes to keep themselves in pole position.
"We were missing people like Fabregas and Flamini, but we can
manage and we can still play well without them," he said.
"No-one believed us when we said we could win the Premier League,
but we are a very good team and we don't care whether anyone
believed us or not.
"We will be very happy if we stay in the position we are in
now."
Veteran midfielder Gilberto made what was only his fourth Premier
League start of the campaign at Newcastle.
The Brazil captain, 31, has been linked with a move away from
Emirates Stadium during the transfer window, but is determined to
make the most of whatever chances come his way.
"I am doing the best I can to get back in the team," Gilberto
said.
"I will see what happens, but of course I want to play in the first
XI and I will do my best to achieve that."
The 2002 World Cup winner added: "A big squad is important. At the
moment we have a few injuries, but we have other players who can do
a great job.
"The manager needs to change the team in some positions but we keep
the same spirit and the same way of playing."
Arsenal may now have a seven point cushion on fifth-placed
Manchester City, but Wenger is taking nothing for granted despite
the so-called 'Big Four' looking set to battle it out for the
Premier League crown.
"It is not guaranteed for everybody," the Frenchman declared.
"Teams like Villa and Man City who are doing well, Everton and
Portsmouth can fight to be in the top four too.
"It is becoming more and more interesting for the teams moving
up."