Christian Norgaard snubbed European giant before sealing dream Arsenal transfer

Christian Norgaard completed his £12million (initial £10m plus £2m in add-ons) transfer across London from Brentford to Arsenal this week and the Dane has walked a long-winding pathway to arrive at one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs

Just 12 minutes into his professional debut, 17-year-old Christian Norgaard flattened the opposition goalkeeper with a crunching challenge. The industrious Dane, who this week sealed his shock £12million transfer to Arsenal from Brentford, had entered the field for Lyngby in the closing stages of a highly-contested relegation six-pointer against HB Koge.

Remarkably, it would represent his only senior appearance for the Danish outfit as a career-changing switch to German giants Hamburg beckoned.

Norgaard, 31, insists the exciting lure of experiencing Champions League football at the Emirates proved to be an opportunity simply too good to refuse.

That quote, delivered in his first interview as an Arsenal player, is reflective of the long-winding pathway the combative midfielder has trodden on his rollercoaster journey to the top.

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He was fundamental cog in Thomas Frank’s well-oiled Bees machine during an illustrious six-year spell in west London and his commendable leadership, reliability and defensive qualities have evidently left a huge impression upon Mikel Arteta.

However, despite the thunderous tackle on his first senior appearance plus the one that “nearly broke” the leg of new team-mate Gabriel Martinelli in April, Norgaard hasn’t always been regarded as a no-nonsense anchorman.

Upon return to his homeland with Brondby – where he first played under the tutelage of Frank – the Gunners’ latest signing occasionally featured as a playmaker and winger, even scoring a stunning curler from distance in a pre-season friendly against Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool in 2014.

After previously attracting interest from AC Milan, Norgaard’s sparkling form in Scandinavia later saw him earn a transfer to Fiorentina but his stay in Italy was incredibly short-lived.

The Denmark international, who has now been part of the national team squad for three major tournaments, only featured six times in Serie A before sealing a £2.8m move to Brentford.

Norgaard’s stint with Fiorentina was mentally challenging – not least because he was secretly taking sleeping pills.

The issue began in the latter stages of his time at Brondby, particularly before away matches when the team would stay in hotels.

When Norgaard would climb into bed, he’d fear the prospect of being unable to get to sleep and his mind would go into overdrive.

He has since confessed during an interview with Danish newspaper Bold that he was virtually awake all night before Brondby’s 2018 Danish Cup semi-final and final wins over Midtjylland and Silkeborg, respectively.

The tablets helped tackle the problem but his dependence soon snowballed and he sought the help of Brentford’s specialist sleeping coach Anna West. West, according to Norgaard, had described his usage of the pills as “a pacifier that we should have put away.”

Initially, that irked the Dane but slowly but surely, the pair put the habit to bed. Norgaard’s bravery and openness to willingly discuss one of football’s most taboo subjects was rightfully lauded back on home soil.

In fact, he received many messages and letters revealing his actions had inspired others to speak up and make changes amid their own personal battles.

Arsenal have not only signed a talented, proficient replacement for Jorginho, they’ve also landed a consummate professional and leader of men.

It’s indicative of his character that he snubbed upwards of four lucrative Bosman offers – including one from Portuguese giants Benfica – to pen a two-year contract extension with Brentford in late March because his family were settled in the capital.

Norgaard may not represent Arsenal’s sexiest addition of the summer but there can be no doubt that he has the capacity to help drive Arteta’s squad to silverware and new heights. He has not made the move just to make up the numbers.

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