Odegaard: "Let's build the momentum together"

Before every game at Arsenal Stadium, Martin Odegaard lifts the lid on the mood in the camp via his captain’s notes published in the matchday programme.

Ahead of tonight's Champions League game against Real Madrid, Martin discusses the quarter-final first leg, his knowledge of our 2006 encounter with Galacticos, and more. Here is a snippet:

Tonight’s game is going to be a big battle and a huge test – it’s moments like this that you live for as a player.

Growing up you always watch the Champions League, and the special atmosphere of night games. Players dream of moments like this for their whole life, so it’s up to us to make sure we enjoy it and put everything we can into the game.

It’s a special one for me as well, playing against my old club for the first time. I still have a lot of friends at the club, and a lot of the staff are still there from when I was there. It’s the same coach as well of course, who was there when I played there. The assistants, physios, some of the players too, lots of people that I still speak to, so it will be nice to see them again – it’s another reason to look forward to the game.

Obviously everybody knows about their quality, and they show it so many times in big games and at key moments. When it gets towards the end of the season they always come alive, so there is plenty for us to work on and it will be a huge challenge. But let’s focus on our ourselves, and I feel like we’re ready for that as a team now. We have grown together over the past few months and years, we want to play against the toughest teams in the big games and now we have a chance to prove that we are ready.

"I'm sure you're all going to be fired up and the atmosphere will be top"

It's a big occasion for us, there has been a lot of build up towards it, but as players it’s our job to block out the noise. I think we have done that really well since our last Champions League game, because we had big Premier League games to play as well. Our preparation has been really good, we’ve stayed focused and locked in on whatever our next game is.

Everyone I’ve spoken to in the last few days has been talking about this game, you get the feeling it’s very special with a lot of interest in it. Lots of people are very excited to watch it so I’m sure we are going to enjoy playing it.

Being at home in the first game gives us a big opportunity to make the most of playing in front of our own supporters. We always feel comfortable and strong playing here at Arsenal Stadium and I’m sure you are all going to be fired up for this one and the atmosphere will be top. Let’s build the momentum together from the first whistle, because we’ll need you all right behind us throughout the game. It will be absolutely key.

I know it’s only the second time Arsenal have ever been drawn against Real Madrid, and I’ve seen the footage from the first one a lot in the last few days on social media! I’m sure everybody knows Thierry Henry’s goal and what Arsenal did in those two games. Hopefully we can put in another big performance tonight, and make more memories for the club. It’s a big goal for us to go all the way in the Champions League.

Read the rest of Martin's notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Real Madrid programme either around the stadium or online.