The Norwegian playmaker, who swapped the Spanish capital for North London in 2021, hasn't hidden his admiration for the Brazilian star as Arsenal gear up for a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid.

The Gunners have enjoyed another solid Premier League campaign under Mikel Arteta, but with leaders Liverpool 12 points clear and only nine games left, a third consecutive runners-up finish looms large.

Despite their domestic frustrations, Arsenal are still alive in Europe, setting the stage for a mouthwatering showdown with the Spanish giants.

Odegaard, who arrived at Arsenal initially on loan from Real Madrid before a permanent 40 million euros move, has thrived in England. Yet, he admitted to TV2 Sport that he misses linking up with Vinicius, saying, "Now I just said that Vinicius is the best in the world, so it's natural to take him."

The 26-year-old's comments have sparked excitement among fans dreaming of a sensational reunion.

Looking ahead to the Champions League tie, Odegaard has said the matches hold extra meaning for him. "Of course, these will be two very important matches against Real Madrid, and for me personally, it will be special to play against my former team," he told reporters.

"We believe in ourselves and we know what we can do. Our performances in the Champions League have been very good, winning seven of our ten matches so far. We're looking forward to the first leg here at the Emirates next month. It will be a great evening."

Arsenal's European journey hit a wall last season when Bayern Munich knocked them out at this stage, but goalkeeper David Raya believes the squad have learned from that heartache. "This is a great club and the team are incredible," Raya said to Sky Sports.

"We're going in the right direction to achieve things, it's a matter of time. Last year, I thought we did a really good campaign. We were so close to beating Bayern Munich to go into the semi-finals. We have that experience now, and not many players had played in the Champions League before. We look forward to it and accept the challenge."

Raya added, "We have a big challenge ahead playing Real Madrid. It's the one you really wanted to play when you were young."

Recent updates from Arsenal's official X account confirm the team are "fully focused" on their European preparations, with Arteta praising Odegaard's leadership ahead of the tie.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has been in scintillating form for Real Madrid, netting a hat-trick in their latest La Liga win, according to posts on X from the club.

Could Odegaard's wish come true one day? For now, Arsenal fans will settle for their captain conjuring magic to outshine his old pal on the pitch.

Martin Odegaard urges Arsenal to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior