Arsenal host Kairat in their final game of the Champions League group phase on Wednesday night
14:23, 27 Jan 2026Updated 14:40, 27 Jan 2026
Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard
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Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard(Image: )
Christian Norgaard took part in Arsenal's pre-match press conference ahead of their Champions League group phase clash with Kairat on Wednesday night.
The Denmark midfielder sat alongside manager Mikel Arteta as the pair previewed the European clash, with the Gunners knowing a draw will guarantee them top spot in the table.
Norgaard faced several tough questions including the uncertainty surrounding his future, with Ajax reportedly keen on signing him. The 31-year-old has struggled for regular football since joining from Brentford in the summer.
He also revealed the squad's reaction to the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United and shared his delight at playing in the Europe's premier club competition. football.london brings you every word...
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On the reaction after the Manchester United defeat
"I think the mood is still great, we are in a great position in the domestic cups and everything is good."
On playing in Europe
"The ball. Not only the ball ha! It's an iconic tournament, and so for me also the likes of other clubs, not just English clubs."
On Ajax links
"No, I'm really happy here."
On the pronouncing his name
"I have two ways, the English way and the Danish way. "Nor-gaard" is the English and the "Nar-goh" would be the Danish."
On the scrapbook his grandmother keeps of him
"It's the best Christmas present I get every year. She's done that for nine years now. The family sits around that scrapbook every year."
On competing with Rice and Zubimendi
"No, it's not easy. They are fantastic players. It's honestly a joy to come in and train every day with players of this quality but to see and feel that you are a part of it. Now it's just about being patient and hard work."
On having to watch from the sidelines
"You're bang on, that's the hard part, you feel hopeless, and you can't help the team. I don't think it's his (Arteta's) favourite part of the job, leaving players out of the squad."
On playing centre-back
"The first game against Brugge, before the game I was a little bit nervous about playing the role. But the Portsmouth game it was a bit more natural. It's good to be versatile and if there's a spot at centre-half I am happy to take it."
On Odegaard and captaincy
"Martin is an unbelievable guy. Really well-liked and well-respected by everyone at the club. Talk about standards. He's one who walks the walk. Captains wear different capes, Martin's one of them, I was one of them at Brentford. But I think you can be different types of captains and be a very good one."
On the atmosphere
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"I think mostly when you're on the pitch or the bench, you're so focused on what's going on. But I've never been in a club where the fans were not happy when the team is not winning. It's a natural emotion to try and get the team going. It's a mutual relationship."
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