Ødegaard tells Arsenal to channel past lessons into ‘something special’ at Atlético Madrid

• Captain confident team can handle pressure and learn

• Havertz unavailable but Eze part of Arsenal’s squad

Martin Ødegaard has accepted that Arsenal will remain open to criticism until they shed their nearly-men reputation and is confident the club are primed to do precisely that this season.

The captain cut a convincing figure on the eve of Wednesday night’s ­Champions League semi-final first leg at ­Atlético Madrid, insisting he and his ­teammates were ready to respond to the lessons of the past and deliver silverware.