Christian Norgaard has revealed he felt he took a risk by joining Arsenal but knew he would regret it if he turned them down. The 32-year-old moved from Brentford to the Emirates in a £10m deal last July but played a peripheral role in a squad that reached the latter stages of all three cup competitions.
Norgaard made just 20 appearances, 11 of them starts, before leaving this summer for Everton in search of more first-team football. Reflecting on his sole season in north London, he admitted he could not reject the Gunners when they came calling.
Risk worth taking
Speaking at a Men In Blazers Live event at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, Norgaard said: "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 added: "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."
Despite limited opportunities, he was not surprised by the challenge and is pleased to have contributed to a Premier League-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."
Pride and disappointment
Norgaard described the experience as a significant step in his career. "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 explained.
He concluded: "I look back on the season with joy and with pride, and maybe a little bit of disappointment as well." Norgaard could make his competitive Everton debut on Saturday when they host Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener.
