Rice and Odegaard send clear message ahead of Atletico v Arsenal

Odegaard struck a similar note, accepting that Arsenal will continue to face questions until they turn their progress into silverware. The captain, who is still waiting for a major trophy after five years at the club, said the squad were in position to change the conversation.

“It’s always going to be there until we win and that’s something you have to live with,” Odegaard said. “We need to take all our experiences and the lessons and use them in a good way. It’s part of football and part of the journey.

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“Against Atlético is another great opportunity for us to do something special. We know what’s there and we just have to enjoy it and be ready for it.

“We’re in a great position to make history and that’s what we want to do. I’ve been in this club for a while now and I’ve seen the progression since I first came and how much we’ve improved. It’s been amazing to be a part of that and I probably want to take that last step and do something really big.

“That’s the biggest dream and what we’re working towards every single day.”

A weather warning is in place for Madrid, with an electrical storm and heavy rain forecast, while the pitch at the Metropolitano Stadium has already attracted criticism this season. Barcelona complained that the grass was too long after their Champions League quarter-final exit there, and Tottenham players struggled to keep their feet during their last-16 first leg defeat, but that’s probably more a Spurs issue.

Arteta said his squad would “adapt to any context”, although he will have to do so without Kai Havertz, who is unavailable after limping out of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Eberechi Eze is in the squad despite a fitness concern from the same match, while Riccardo Calafiori has also travelled after missing the last four matches.

Rice also made clear how important Eze could be after the England midfielder took his tally for the season to 10 with the winner against Newcastle.

“That’s what he’s been brought here to do. I said a few weeks ago, his ball-striking is unbelievable,” Rice said.

“What a player, what a guy. He’s going to be massive for us these next few weeks. We really need him.”