‘I know my chances will come’ – Christian Norgaard confident he will have a big part to play at Arsenal | OneFootball

Christian Norgaard says he is relishing the chance to compete for playing time with “some of the best players in the world” at Arsenal.

The Danish international joined the Gunners in a deal worth up to £15m including add-ons, after six seasons with Brentford.

With Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in midfield, the 31-year-old knows this move represents a step up, but is confident he will be able to make a big contribution.

“I’m realistic, of course,” he said. “I know this is a step up in terms of quality and size of the club. But I’m also here to contribute, of course, otherwise I wouldn’t have made the move.

“I also know that there are some of the best players in the world in my position here. So it’ll be competitive.

“There are the things you see on the weekend on the pitch. But there are a lot of other things going on around the football team and I hope I can really help this team both on and off the pitch.”

“It’s about being fit,” Norgaard added. “I’m used to playing 38 games plus a couple of cup games. Here, it will be close to 60 games, maybe, so you need a full squad.

“For me, it’s about being available. I know my chances will come and then it’s just about taking them when they’re there.”

The midfielder made his non-competitive debut for the club on Wednesday, playing the first 45 minutes in a 1-0 win over AC Milan.

Norgaard looked composed in possession, completing 28 of his 32 passes and making five recoveries.

However, it is not just on the pitch where he is settling quickly. The former Brentford captain has already integrated well with his new teammates.

“It’s been great,” he said. “The boys have really welcomed me in a good way. A lot of information, of course, a lot of new drills, especially the pitch stuff is, of course, new to me. But I felt really welcome and it’s been a good pre-season so far.”

When asked specifically about why he chose to make the move, Norgaard responded: “There’s a lot of competition. But for me, it was a chance to represent Arsenal at the age of 31. I was coming to a later stage in my career and I signed a new deal with Brentford. “But when the interest came from Arsenal and my first talks with Mikel [Arteta], it was very clear to me that I would do everything to be able to play here. Because to get this adventure, to be part of a team that has such big ambitions, is for me an amazing step to take at this stage in my career.”