Martin Ødegaard seemed almost indignant when asked whether he and his Arsenal teammates could find any pleasure in the intense pressure of their trophy chase ahead of the Champions League semi‑final against Atlético Madrid. “How can you not enjoy it?” he replied, his tone leaving little room for doubt. “We’re playing in probably the toughest and most competitive league in the world and we’re at the top fighting for the title.
We’re in the semi‑final of the Champions League. For me, it’s hard to understand how you can’t enjoy that.” Arsenal have not exactly looked like a side reveling in their recent form. Their 1‑0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday was only the second win in seven matches across all competitions, and the pressure of a title race with Manchester City has often seemed to weigh heavily on the players. Yet both captain and manager arrived in Madrid with a bullish, confident attitude.
Mikel Arteta echoed Ødegaard’s sentiment at the pre‑match press conference. “This is the stage we want to be on and we have earned it through incredible work, passion and quality over the last nine months,” he said. “Now is the moment to make a statement, to show how good we are, how much we want it and to make it happen. The opportunity is in front of us and we have to attack it.” The Premier League title battle with City has dominated Arsenal’s season, casting a long shadow over their ambitions to finally end a 22‑year wait for the league crown.
Yet a second historic prize looms on the continental front. The Gunners are only two games away from reaching only the second Champions League final in their history – a competition they have never won – and they are doing so for the first time in back‑to‑back seasons. Arteta was quick to point out how remarkable this achievement is given the club’s recent European record.
“I don’t take it for granted,” he said. “A short time ago this club went seven years without any Champions League participation. In that short period we have achieved something remarkable, and we know how difficult it is. It’s a massive privilege to be here again, two years in a row, in the semi‑finals, representing our club.” He added, “What an opportunity.
We are going to grab it with both hands. You will see a team that wants to dominate, that wants to win, and that wants to start and decide the tie.” Arsenal have already enjoyed moments of European glory in recent years, most notably the emphatic 4‑0 win over Real Madrid in the round of 16 last season. However, both the manager and the players are keen to take the next step and reach the final.
Ødegaard admitted that the psychological baggage of past disappointments still lingers. “That will always be there until we win it,” he said. “We have to live with it, learn from every experience, and use those lessons as part of our journey.
It’s the best part of the season – everyone is excited, everyone wants to do something special, and we will take everything we’ve learned into this match.” Offensively, Arsenal have struggled in the latter part of the campaign, netting only five goals in their last seven games across all competitions. Nevertheless, Atlético felt the sting of their firepower when the two sides met in the group stage, with the Gunners winning 4‑0 in October. Arteta insists that the same intent will be applied at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday. Defensively, Arsenal have been solid in the knockout rounds, conceding just one goal in four matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP.
Yet Arteta dismissed any notion that they will adopt a purely defensive approach against Atlético. “It’s going to be a really tough match. They are a team and a manager with a lot of experience in this competition. They have every right to be here because of what they’ve done.
It’s remarkable. We know the difficulty, but we have shown in Europe, on any ground, what we are capable of. We have to play with confidence, desire and the will to win.” Ødegaard also spoke about the media scrutiny that accompanies the team’s recent dip in form. “Some people might want to stay away from the phone,” he said, “but in today’s society it’s impossible not to see things.
It’s about being mentally strong, focusing on the right things, living day by day and game by game. We can’t control what others say; we can only work hard every single day and keep doing that.” He added, “It’s massive for all of us.
We’re in a great position to make history and that’s what we want to do. I’ve been at this club for a while now and I’ve seen the progression. It’s been amazing to be part of it. We want to take that final step and do something really big, and that’s what we’re working towards every single day.” Even the weather forecast could not dampen Arsenal’s optimism.
Arteta noted that the team has learned to adapt to any circumstances over the past nine months, having played in a variety of scenarios, against different opponents and under diverse conditions. “We will adapt to the conditions tomorrow in the best possible way, stay true to ourselves and aim to win the game.” For his part, Ødegaard is eager to make up for lost time after enduring the most injury‑plagued season of his Arsenal career. “It’s been frustrating to be away from the pitch,” he admitted. “I love to play football.
I want to play every single game. I’ve tried to make the most of it and help in any way I can. I think I’ve done a good job staying fit and coming back in the best possible condition.” He reflected on the mental challenges of injury, saying, “It’s the hardest thing for a player to be out injured. You can’t affect the game, you can’t be on the pitch.
It’s tough but it’s part of life as a footballer. You have to see the positive side, you become even hungrier to get back on the pitch and enjoy it even more.” In summary, Arsenal approach the semi‑final with a mixture of confidence, hunger and a clear understanding of the stakes.
They know the opposition is experienced, the media pressure is intense, and their own recent form has been uneven, but the club’s leadership believes the team has the quality and mental resilience to seize the moment and possibly write a new chapter in the club’s European history.