Vieira: we wont be intimidated
Boss Arsene Wenger also vowed that his side would soon be "flying high" again after taking time to recover from the shock of their defeat at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have been left somewhat battered and bruised in physical encounters over the past few weeks, with Sol Campbell and Edu joining Gilberto, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gael Clichy on the injury list.
Their unbeaten league run also ended with that defeat by Manchester United, while only a last-gasp equaliser by Robin van Persie saved them from another setback against Southampton.
Jose Reyes has also seemingly been targeted in both of those games, as well as by Panathinaikos, whom Arsenal face again tonight in their Champions League group tie at Highbury.
Vieira observed: "We expect a tough game. Physically they are a really strong side. But we can respond to that as we're quite strong as well. We're not afraid if we play against a team that tries to press us as we can respond. We have some physical players too. We try to play football but, if there's a tackle to make, we will make it."
As for Reyes, meanwhile, the Arsenal captain added: "Don't worry about him. He may not look that strong but he responds really well after any challenge. We've been surprised at how he's come into training every morning, showing no pain. He's a strong lad."
Arsenal are now second in their Champions League group, with five points from three games, having shown a worrying inability to hold onto leads in Europe away to Rosenborg and Panathinaikos.
However, despite having so far failed to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals, Vieira believes the team have grown in stature in Europe.
"I really believe this year we have a good chance as we are strong at the back, really strong up front and we're not too bad in midfield either. We are improving every year and, if we don't do it this year, we will do it next year.
"We believe in ourselves and we know we can do well in the Champions League. Our target is to go as far as we can and, of course, to win it.
"Our experience of playing in the Champions League has improved us as a team. Every year, we have got better. That will help us to win games."
Vieira believes Arsenal have learned to be patient in Europe, even if their real strength lies in attacking with conviction. "Our strength is to go forward and try to score goals because of the quality of the players we've got in our team," he added. "We can't change it. That, we hope, is what will make us win the Champions League. But when we didn't score in the first 15 minutes, we used to get a bit frustrated. That's changed a lot this season.
"We are now quite patient and we know that if we take our game, keep the ball on the floor and play our game, we will find the space. The quality of the players in our team can make the difference."
And so to their pivotal fourth group game. Wenger believes victory against Panathinaikos would make Arsenal "80%" certain of reaching the knockout stages.
It would also help them put the setbacks of the past nine days behind them, even if he believes the late equaliser against Southampton was a significant psychological boost.
After all, as Jose Mourinho among others had observed, the true test of this Arsenal side was only going to come after they had finally lost their unbeaten league record.
"When you receive a shock, it takes time to absorb it, get over it and find a new momentum again," admitted Wenger.
"But what was important was the Southampton game not to lose and get back on track. A second defeat on the trot would have been a big mental blow to us.
"When you have been flying, it takes you time to get back up there again. You have to get your wings back out and get slowly back up. You don't get straight back up to 2,000 feet. In life, it's like that. Confidence goes quickly but it comes back slowly.
"You have to work hard to get it back. But I'm very confident in the mental strength of this team."
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