Christian Norgaard has opened up on his decision to leave Brentford for Arsenal last summer, admitting he viewed the switch as a calculated gamble that he could not afford to turn down, even knowing it might limit his playing time.
The 32-year-old Danish midfielder completed a £10million move to the Emirates Stadium last July after an extended spell at Brentford, where he had recently signed a two-year contract extension. Despite his contentment at the west London club, Norgaard felt the pull of a bigger stage was too significant to ignore.
Speaking at a Men In Blazers Live event held at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, Norgaard explained the thought process behind his switch. "It is a season I am really proud of. I took a step outside my comfort zone after having been at Brentford for a long time," he said. "I extended my contract there for two years, I was really happy there, but then Arsenal came knocking, and for me, I knew I would regret that decision to not go if I didn't go."
The move, however, did not translate into regular first-team action. Norgaard made just 20 appearances across all competitions during his single season at Arsenal, with only 11 of those coming as starts. The Gunners were involved in extensive campaigns across three cup competitions alongside their Premier League commitments, yet the Dane found himself largely on the fringes of Mikel Arteta's plans.
Despite the restricted role, Norgaard insists he anticipated the challenge of breaking into a squad stacked with talent and remains satisfied with his overall contribution to a title-winning campaign. "I knew the chances of playing were quite limited but it was worth the risk," he said. "I am really proud and happy of what I have helped the team achieve this season, even if the minutes were limited."
The midfielder also highlighted the personal significance of experiencing Champions League football for the first time in his career, along with the exposure of competing for silverware on multiple fronts at a club of Arsenal's stature. "Playing Champions League for the first time, and representing a big club that is competing for titles in any tournament they play in was a big step in terms of what I have tried before," he added.
Reflecting more broadly on his time in north London, Norgaard struck a balanced tone, acknowledging both pride in what he achieved and a sense of what might have been. "I look back on the season with joy and with pride, and maybe a little bit of disappointment as well," he said.
Norgaard has since completed a move to Everton, and he is now poised to make his competitive debut for the Toffees this weekend when they open their Premier League campaign at home against Crystal Palace. The switch offers him the opportunity to reestablish himself as a regular starter after a season largely spent on the periphery at Arsenal, and Everton fans will be eager to see how his experience and composure in midfield translate to Sean Dyche's setup.
Having previously established himself as one of the Premier League's most reliable holding midfielders during his time at Brentford, Norgaard will be keen to recapture that consistency in Merseyside colors as he embarks on a new chapter in his English football journey.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).