Christian Norgaard Eyes FA Cup Success for Arsenal After Leandro Trossard Acclaim
Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard has set his sights on securing FA Cup glory this season, following high praise from teammate Leandro Trossard. The Gunners are preparing for a home tie against Wigan Athletic this Sunday, with Norgaard eager to contribute to another potential trip to Wembley Stadium.
Norgaard's Determination Amid Squad Competition
Since his £10 million summer transfer from Brentford, Norgaard has faced limited playing time at Arsenal, starting only seven matches across all competitions. However, the 31-year-old Dane remains undeterred, expressing enthusiasm for the FA Cup challenge. "Yeah, absolutely. That would be amazing," Norgaard stated when asked if reaching the final is a collective target. "We want to fire on all cylinders in every competition and with this depth we have in the squad right now it is possible. But that takes a lot of focus, concentration and respect for these kinds of games."
Arsenal briefly shift focus from their intense Premier League title race after a recent 1-1 draw at Brentford. Norgaard refuted any notion that the team is seeking a break from the spotlight, highlighting the positives in their league campaign while embracing cup opportunities. "I think there are still so many positives for us to talk about when it comes to the Premier League. We are in an amazing situation," he explained. "But we spoke about it before, the cup games are fantastic as well. An FA Cup game at home is going to be amazing, so hopefully we can also progress in that tournament."
Guard Against Complacency in Historic Competition
Manager Mikel Arteta, a two-time FA Cup winner as an Arsenal player and again in 2020 as manager, is acutely aware of the competition's potential for upsets. In February 2018, as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, Arteta experienced a major cupset when Wigan Athletic eliminated City. Norgaard emphasised the importance of mindset to avoid a similar fate. "Mindset is very important," he asserted. "We have seen it all already this season, where there have been games that we have gone in as huge favourites and still had difficulties getting into the game. So this game demands a lot of respect, just like any other."
The Denmark international, who captained Brentford before his move, is poised to play a crucial role in instilling this message both in the dressing room and on the pitch. His leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed, with Leandro Trossard recently praising Norgaard as an integral standard-setter at the club.
Trossard's Praise and Norgaard's Humble Response
Earlier this week, Trossard lauded Norgaard for his exemplary attitude and influence, despite his limited starts. The flattered midfielder responded graciously to the acclaim from a player of Trossard's calibre. "Of course, that is always nice to hear from a player of his calibre," Norgaard said. "It started a few years back, when I was at Brentford. I do it more for myself and if people follow it, or look at it, that’s amazing. Hopefully, I can help players start doing these things at a younger age. That would have definitely benefited me if I had started earlier."
Despite his experience, Norgaard admits to having few FA Cup memories and was unaware of Wigan Athletic's famous 2013 victory over Manchester City, secured by Ben Watson's header. "No, I don’t [remember it] unfortunately. It’s good you’ve said it, as now I can read about it!" he remarked. "It’s a tough competition. I don’t remember too much of it from when I was young - it was more the Denmark and Spanish leagues. But I know it is a historic tournament, and hopefully we are going to go far in it."
As Arsenal gear up for their FA Cup clash, Norgaard's blend of humility, focus, and leadership could prove vital in navigating the challenges of this prestigious competition. With the squad's depth and determination, the Gunners aim to add another Wembley appearance to their season, building on their existing cup success.
