Odegaard urges Arsenal to 'grow off' Champions League shootout victory

Mikel Arteta's Gunners ended a 14-year wait to reach the last eight of Europe's premier club competition on Tuesday after David Raya saved two spot-kicks to seal progression following a 1-1 aggregate draw at the Emirates. Leandro Trossard's first-half strike drew Arsenal level in the last-16 tie, but the two sides could not be separated until Raya took centre stage, with all four of the hosts' penalty takers finding the back of the net.

Arsenal had exited at the first knockout stage for seven consecutive years under former manager Arsene Wenger and until this season, had not featured in the competition since 2016/17. "I think it is a massive boost for everyone," said Arsenal captain Odegaard, whose team are top of the Premier League, level on points with Liverpool and one ahead of Manchester City.

"The way we did it also, it maybe wasn't the best game, but you just saw everyone pushing so hard, digging so deep. I think you saw the mentality in the team when we stepped up for the penalties. I am really proud of everyone.

"We have to use this, we have to grow off this. It is a massive night for everyone. We are still a young squad, but this was another big experience for everyone." Odegaard, who converted the first penalty of the shootout, said Arsenal could not fear facing teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.

"That's where we want to be," said the Norway international. "We want to be on the biggest stage. We want to play the biggest games and fight for the biggest trophies. When I came here I believed in the project, in the club, what they were doing, everything around the club, I believed in it - and now we are here doing well.

"We just have to keep pushing each other and make sure we get a little bit better every day. We will see where it takes us."

 

March 13, 2024