Dented confidence will not be an issue troubling Norwich City boss Paul Lambert after Arsenal inflicted a second consecutive Premier League defeat on the Canaries.

City's first win of the season at Bolton sparked a superb run of only one loss in six – and that coming courtesy of a harsh reverse at champions Man United – but Robin van Persie's brace served to elevate the potential significance of QPR's pending visit to Carrow Road.

'I don't think that will be a problem,' said Lambert. 'As I've said before every big team we have played we have had a foothold in the game. We have never been out of it.

'There might come a day when we are four or five down, but that hasn't happened yet. That is when I think you might have a problem. I have never had that; to lift them again. We'll go again, we'll pick them up and I have every belief in them.

'That is the pleasing thing. We were up against a really top side but the lads never disgraced themselves. You don't like losing any game but it's about how quickly we bounce back now. We gave them a game, but you don't just want to do that – you want to win.'

Lambert shuffled his pack again with Andrew Crofts starting in a reshaped midfield. David Fox was then replaced by Elliott Bennett at half-time to provide a greater attacking thrust alongside Republic of Ireland hopeful Anthony Pilkington in a more central role.

'I just thought we had to try and put Arsenal under a bit more pressure than we had been doing and you have to make the decisions you feel are right,' said Lambert. 'Perhaps people come here and thought we would have got turned over, but we did okay. Van Persie is vital for them. He is on top of his game at the minute and he is playing extremely well. It's not just him – it's trying to stop ten others.

'I think Pilks at the minute is playing really well and he can adapt to what we want from him. I know of the (Ireland) speculation but all Pilks can do is play well for Norwich. I have a hard enough job just picking the Norwich team.'