'I know this is a step up in quality - but I'm here to contribute'

3 days ago

Christian Norgaard says making the move to Arsenal is an "amazing step" at this stage of his career but he is "realistic" in terms his opportunities for game time.The 31-year-old made the move from Brentford - where he was captain - this summer after six years and 196 appearances for the Bees.He started all 34 Premier League games he was available for last season, but when asked on Arsenal's pre-season tour about a potential change of role Norgaard said: "I'm realistic of course. I know this is a step up in terms of quality and size of club, but I'm also here to contribute - otherwise I wouldn't have made the move."I know there are some of the best players in the world in my position here. It will be competitive. There are the things you see in the weekend on the pitch, but there are a lot of things going on around the football team. I really hope I can help this team on and off the pitch."It's about being available. It's about being fit. I'm used to playing 38 games plus a couple of cup games, but here it will be close to 60 games maybe. You need a full squad and, for me, it is about being available. I know my chances will come and it's just about taking them when they're there."t was a chance to represent Arsenal at the age of 31. I was coming to a later stage of my career and I signed a new deal with Brentford, but when the interest came from Arsenal and I first talked with Mikel Arteta, it was very clear to me that I would do everything to be able to play here."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 of my career."

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BBC News

27 minutes ago

BBC News

Penders joins Strasbourg on loan

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders was always likely to join Strasbourg this summer and it has finally been made official. The 19-year-old is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and manager Enzo Maresca took him to the United States as part of his Club World Cup-winning team to take a closer look at the Belgian. However, Penders has only made 26 senior appearances in his short career so a loan move was always likely. Strasbourg are also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's BlueCo and thus have emerged as the primary destination for young players to go on loan from Chelsea, especially ones the club feel have a long term future inside their project. Penders perfectly fits the BlueCo ideology of player development, but is making a significant step up from Belgian football given Strasbourg have qualified for European football this former number one Djordje Petrovic - who joined Bournemouth for £25m this summer after winning Strasbourg's player of the year award - will also be difficult. Yet Penders is seen as a keeper who some day is capable of reaching the highest level within the Chelsea/Strasbourg system - and this is an opportunity to live up to those beliefs.

England hero Chloe Kelly criticised for 'cocky gesture' during Euro 2025 final

Metro

28 minutes ago

Metro

England hero Chloe Kelly criticised for 'cocky gesture' during Euro 2025 final

England hero Chloe Kelly has been accused of making a 'cocky gesture' at the end of the dramatic Euro 2025 final penalty shootout against Spain. Arsenal forward Kelly struck England's winning penalty in Basel after the final finished 1-1 after extra-time. Pre-tournament favourites Spain took the lead midway through the first half through Mariona Caldentey but Alessia Russo equalised for the Lionesses just before the hour mark. England withstood plenty of Spain pressure in extra-time before winning the shootout 3-1, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton making two superb saves. Kelly scored the winner in the Euro 2022 final win and was England's hero again as she blasted her spot-kick past the helpless Cata Coll, who had saved two previous penalties. It was at that moment that Kelly made a 'cocky gesture', according to sections of the Spanish press, as she wheeled away in celebration in front of Coll. Kelly initially went to sprint to her right – in the opposite direction of the diving Coll – before quickly changing direction and running in front of the Spain goalkeeper. Coll gestured angrily at Kelly as she ran past but the England star paid little notice and was soon celebrating back-to-back European titles with her teammates. Kelly appeared to be focused on the celebrating England fans inside St Jakob-Park rather than her opponent but Spanish outlet AS nonetheless said it was a 'cocky' and 'unnecessary gesture'. 'This is unnecessary, my friend,' they wrote. 'Chloe Kelly's cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty. 'The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten.' In a separate article, AS claimed Spain had been 'robbed' after losing a final they if not dominated at least were in control of for large periods. 'The dream ends in a nightmare,' one piece said. 'Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated. 'History is made by victories, and also by defeats. Spain fell in the Euro Cup final but left its name sealed in gold. England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn't close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney. 'They couldn't have been crueller in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air.' A separate piece from the Spanish outlet, which accused England of playing for penalties, added: 'England had been eliminated three times. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'But they must have been using Houdini's secret manual of tricks to take home the trophy. Congratulations. 'The English embraced penalties like happy castaways, and it showed.' Spain manager Montse Tome was fairly magnanimous following her side's heartbreaking defeat and insisted she was 'proud' of the World Cup holders. 'It's a final and we are sad because we weren't able to win,' he said. 'I think the effort from all of the players was very good. 'They tried until the very end to try to win but then we arrived at a penalty shootout and we weren't able to do it. I thought overall we were very good on the ball. More Trending 'They are a team that play a lot on the second balls and they managed to hurt us a bit in these situations. 'I think in extra time we got the momentum back, got on the ball and were able to attack, but we were not able to avoid a penalty shootout and in the end we were not able to do that better. 'Now we have a strange feeling because we wanted to win so much. You have it so close and you are not able to do it. 'But I am always proud of the effort of the team and the staff that has been really positive. Now we have to stop and relax, and that is what I'm going to do.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Joey Barton branded 'bitter and twisted' after vile posts about England's Euro 2025 win MORE: 7 films celebrating women in sport after the Lionesses win Euro 2025 MORE: 'If that's not a sign…' – Ella Toone shares poignant tribute to 'angel' dad after Euro 2025 win

Chelsea close in on Jorrel Hato signing with agreement close to continue summer spending spree

Evening Standard

28 minutes ago

Evening Standard

Chelsea close in on Jorrel Hato signing with agreement close to continue summer spending spree

They return for pre-season with two friendlies at home to Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan next weekend, before they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace.