By Graham Ruthven
Amid the hypothesis across the pursuit of a brand new quantity 9 and the impatience over the signing of Martin Zubimendi, it was simple to overlook Arsenal welcoming Christian Nørgaard to the membership. That’s comprehensible. The 31-year-old gained’t be probably the most eye-catching addition the Gunners will make this summer time, however he could possibly be the neatest.
For an preliminary payment of £10m (plus £2m in add-ons), there may be a lot to love about Arsenal’s signing of Nørgaard. The Dane was a central determine for a Brentford group that has constantly punched above their weight within the Premier League. Arsenal know what they’re getting from a participant who has began 120 video games within the final 4 seasons.
And that’s certainly a part of what made Nørgaard so engaging to the Gunners. Solely two Arsenal gamers have began extra Premier League matches than the Danish midfielder over the identical time frame. For a group that has been hit onerous by accidents in every of the final two seasons, availability is one thing they want extra of.
After all, Arsenal may have discovered numerous gamers who’ve been merely out there in current seasons, however Nørgaard has a lot extra to supply. He’s comfy on the ball, as confirmed by the very fact he was Brentford’s most prolific passer in midfield final season, averaging 36.7 correct passes per 90 minutes.
Whereas it’s true Nørgaard’s major function was on the base of Thomas Frank’s midfield, he was additionally efficient at shifting the ball ahead – solely Mikel Damsgaard (27) accomplished extra progressive passes for Brentford final season than Nørgaard (15). As a possession piece, the 31-year-old will slot into Mikel Arteta’s central unit properly.
Out of possession is the place Nørgaard may actually give Arsenal one thing totally different, although. Remarkably, the Dane has made extra interceptions (201) and ball recoveries (844) than another participant within the Premier League for the reason that begin of the 2021/22 season. Nørgaard reads the sport clearly and can supply a robust defensive presence on the Emirates Stadium.
“He has confirmed management expertise and a robust character which will probably be invaluable to our squad,” mentioned Arteta when the signing of Norgaard from Brentford was confirmed. “He’s a robust midfielder with wonderful tactical consciousness and flexibility. He additionally has bodily presence and intelligence which is able to give us added depth and stability.”
Zubimendi will begin the 2025/26 season as Arsenal’s first-choice on the base of the midfield. The Spain worldwide has been signed to be the Gunners’ Rodri with the idea being that his safety in possession will afford extra freedom to the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice additional up the pitch. There’s a very good purpose Arsenal spent so lengthy chasing Zubimendi.
To win the Premier League title for the primary time for the reason that days of Arsene Wenger, although, Arsenal will want choices in each space of their squad and Nørgaard can anticipate to obtain a number of recreation time over the course of the marketing campaign with the Gunners additionally competing on a continental entrance within the Champions League.
Set items is one other space the place Nørgaard can contribute. Arsenal are already some of the efficient groups from nook kicks and freekicks within the Premier League and their new Danish midfielder ought to make them much more potent with Nørgaard a severe risk within the air – solely Ben White (66.7%), Nathan Collins (63%) and William Saliba (62%) gained the next share of aerial duels within the Premier League final time period.
This summer time is a pivotal one for Arsenal. Having completed second in every of the final three Premier League seasons, they should discover areas the place they will make good points to shut the hole on prime spot. This led the Gunners to focus on a brand new quantity 9 with Viktor Gyökeres the goal they’ve reportedly settled on. The Swede may be a part of within the coming days.
Noni Madueke is one other performed believed to be on his strategy to the Emirates Stadium this summer time as Arteta makes an attempt to ease the reliance on Bukayo Saka. A big share of Arsenal supporters are sad in regards to the concentrating on of the Chelsea winger, however he may give their group the form of depth boasted by title rivals like Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.
In Nørgaard, although, Arsenal have signed a participant who each displays what they already are as a group and factors them within the path they need to head in. If the Gunners end the 2025/26 season with silverware in-hand, it wouldn’t be shocking to lean that the Dane has made a sizeable contribution. His impression could possibly be profound.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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