Arsenal’s captain Martin Ødegaard has urged the club to revel in the amazing moment and not think too much about the future. The Gunners will face Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg of the Champions League.

Arsenal have never won the Europe’s biggest title and they would aim to qualify for the summit clash. Mikel Arteta’s team had suffered a loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinal clash in the previous season of the Champions League.

Asked about the need to put those near misses behind them, Ødegaard said: “It’s always going to be there until we win it. It’s something you have to live with, we need to take the experiences and the lessons and use it in a good way. That’s a part of football and the journey.

“We have to live in the moment. At the moment, we are doing really well. We are in an amazing position in the league and in the Champions League. That’s what we have to focus on: how to be at our best.

“How can you not enjoy it? We’re playing in probably the toughest and most competitive league in the world, fighting for the title in the Premier League and we’re in the semifinal of the Champions League.

“It is hard for me to understand how you could not enjoy that. It’s what we’ve always dreamed about our whole lives, since I was a kid, This is the best part of the season. Everyone is up for it, the energy in the group is amazing.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are yet to be beaten in the Champions League this season but will be without the services of Kai Havertz and Jurriën Timber through injury in Madrid. However, the duo of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori will return to action for the Gunners.

“We’ve got some new players in and I feel like we’re stronger, I feel like we’ve learned from all those experiences last year and we’re probably even more prepared now for this. I feel like we’re up for it and you’re ready to go.”

Arsenal will look to come up with a collective effort against Atletico Madrid.