Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has rated his team among Europe’s elite but said the club must prove its mettle in the prestigious tournament. The Gunners will take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League at the BayArena, Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Arsenal dominated the early phase of the tournament as they won all eight of their league phase matches and are the favorites to go deep in the competition.

Asked if Arsenal had established themselves alongside Europe’s best, Arteta said: “I believe so. This is football and you have to show it tomorrow night.

“I know that you have to be very clear about what the game is going to demand. You need to perform on the day. Champions League is about the day. Within that day, there are moments and you have to be better than the opponent.

“The players certainly have more experience in the competition. When I joined, a big part of the team had never played in this competition. That’s obviously something that is necessary, like in any other competition. They understand it better. Now we have to perform.”

Arteta confirmed that William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi are all available to play against Leverkusen. However, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori are doubtful for the game. The club’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, has been ruled out.

The Gunners will look to carry the good form in the Champions League and come up with a collective effort against Bundes Liga team.