Martin Odegaard determined to help Arsenal reach ‘big goal’ of Champions League

Martin Odegaard has been limited to the role of Champions League spectator this season – but he wants to end that by leading Arsenal to victory at Tottenham on Thursday night.

A win for the Gunners would secure a return to Europe’s elite competition after a five-year absence.

Arsenal sit four points clear of Spurs heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and have their top-four destiny in their own hands – even if they lose for a third time in a row in N17.

Boss Mikel Arteta has called on his players to get the job done by completing a north London derby double for the season and Odegaard admits the squad have been keeping a watching brief as some memorable Champions League nights unfolded.

“We’re watching all the games,” he said. “When you watch those games you want to be there and fight for the best games, so that’s the stage we want to be at.

“That (qualifying for Champions League) was our big goal this season, so if we can do it we’ll be very happy.

“Of course to do it there will be special, but the most important thing is to get there and not the way we do it.”

Odegaard’s former club Real Madrid will face Liverpool in this season’s Champions League final, but Thursday night could be seen as a cup final of their own for Arsenal.

Maybe we’re a bit ahead of schedule, but still we haven’t done anything. We have to finish it and get into the top four- Martin Odegaard

Securing a top-four finish would also show the progression of a team which has finished eighth in the last two seasons.

Many would not have tipped Arsenal to achieve Champions League qualification this year and even Odegaard – who is likely to captain the visitors at Spurs – admits the club are ahead of schedule.

“I think so,” he said. “But when I signed I