Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says the squad are embracing the pressure ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to the Metropolitano Stadium competing on two fronts, with a Premier League title race against Manchester City running alongside their bid to reach only a second Champions League final in the club’s history.
Odegaard insisted the occasion is one to be enjoyed despite recent scrutiny over Arsenal’s form, with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle only their second victory in seven matches.
“How can you not enjoy it?” Odegaard said. “We’re playing in probably the toughest league in the world and we’re at the top fighting for the title. We’re in the semi-final of the Champions League.
“That’s what we’ve been dreaming about our whole life.”
Arsenal are aiming to reach back-to-back Champions League semi-finals, having returned to the competition after a seven-year absence, and have never won the tournament.
Arteta highlighted that progress but urged his players to seize the opportunity.
“This is the stage that we want to be on and we have earned it,” he said. “Now is the moment to make a statement.
“It’s a massive privilege to be here again and we are going to grab it with both hands.”
Arsenal have struggled for goals in recent weeks, scoring five times in their last seven games, but have been defensively strong in Europe, conceding once in knockout ties against Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting.
Arteta dismissed any suggestion of a cautious approach against Diego Simeone’s side.
“We know the difficulty of the match but we have shown what we are capable of,” he said. “We have to play with confidence and the desire to win.”
Odegaard acknowledged questions over silverware will persist until Arsenal deliver.
“That is always going to be there until we win it,” he said. “We have to use those experiences in a good way.”
He added the players remain focused despite external criticism.
“We can’t control what people say. It’s about being strong mentally and focused on the right things.”
Arsenal won 4-0 in the teams’ previous meeting earlier this season, while Arteta said his side are prepared to adapt to any conditions in Madrid.
