Mikel Arteta has often stressed that the difference between success and failure can be decided by the smallest of details.
So, even though Christian Norgaard only started one Premier League fixture as a Gunner, don’t underestimate the contribution the Dane made off the pitch.
Obviously, when the 32-year-old left Brentford, he would have assumed he would play more than seven Premier League games for Arsenal. His only league start came after the title had already been mathematically secured.
Before the 2012/13 season, that wouldn’t even have been enough minutes to guarantee a winner’s medal.
More Than Match Minutes
Norgaard’s legacy in north London might ultimately be what he did away from the pitch.
Our manager has repeatedly described the midfielder as one of the dressing room’s main leaders, someone who demanded his team-mates conduct themselves to the highest standards.
The likes of Eze, Saka and Rice have all said that when the squad needed a few heart-to-hearts during the run-in, it was Norgaard who delivered some of the most inspirational speeches, even taking it upon himself to dish out a few hard truths away from the coaching staff.
It takes a true professional to do that when you’re sitting on the bench most weeks.
The Right Move for Everyone
This time last year, the assumption was that Andrea Berta had signed an experienced defensive midfielder who could cover for injuries or come on late in matches to help protect narrow leads.
Yet his new boss has shown in the past that he won’t play you if he feels you don’t suit his ethos, and clearly there was something the Spaniard didn’t fully trust about the Denmark international on matchdays.
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice worked themselves into the ground. One had played some of the most minutes in the red and white shirt before eventually being rested, while the other went to the World Cup clearly not fully fit. That was despite a proven former Premier League captain being available for selection.
If anything, Norgaard’s best performances came when he was asked to fill in as a makeshift defender during a couple of domestic cup ties.
That’s why a £7 million move to Everton makes sense for all parties.
Even though that’s not a huge fee in today’s market, there was little reason for the Gunners to stand in the way of someone wanting regular first-team football.
Gooners waited 22 years to see the team they love crowned champions. That achievement speaks for itself.
Whether it was the lady on reception, the head chef or those responsible for arranging travel, every contribution could have made the difference between being champions and finishing runners-up.
So Christian Norgaard deserves his winner’s medal.
Good luck on Merseyside, Norgaard.
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
Dan Smith
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A very seasoned professional
A proper future football manager in the making
Very nice article Dan.
All the best to Christian and his family, it obviously didn’t pan out the way we all hoped, but sometimes the timing is just a bit unfortunate. He’s been a model player, team member and stepped in when needed to do the job required of him.
And leaves with an EPL winners medal!
thank you
It was strange that Arteta didn’t give more game time to Norgaard – even when there were tired legs. We’re not mind readers but his signing must have been a stop gap and it didn’t work out sufficiently well in Arteta’s mind apart from what Dan alluded to in his article off the pitch. At least he’s going to get an opportunity at Everton and isn’t hanging around taking up a squad place and has enough about him to go elsewhere to play. He’s also proven to be a sellable asset unlike one or two (barring Arsenal putting too high a price on those players)
A very underused player in my view. But he remained professional through out. Just like a certain Kiren Tierney in fact. Remember him.
Hmmm I think “hero” is a bit of a stretch…
But he is a true professional, and as SueP mentioned, I don’t know why he was so underused.
When he did play, he looked more than capable, and could have been played a bit more to give some of our midfielders a rest. After all, I initially thought that was one of the main reasons we signed him.
Good luck to him at Everton, I hope he succeeds and plays an important role for them.
Kia,
I’ve looked over the article again, and all the post’s, who on here used the word hero.
The headline 😂
Dan Kit,
I don’t believe it, I read everything but the headline. Show’s you how observant I am, or should I say unobservant is more like it. 🤦♂️
Thanks for the heads up by the way. 😂