Few Premier League golf equipment have extra using on this summer time switch window than Arsenal.
A trio of second-placed finishes have left little extra room for error if Mikel Arteta and his aspect are to attain the success they’ve spent 5 years working in the direction of.
A recognised striker has lengthy been considered because the Gunners’ biggest want within the switch market, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres linked.
However the information that Thomas Partey is about to go away upon the expiry of his contract has made the signing of a alternative for the Ghanaian holding midfielder pertinent.
That has taken them to Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, who is about to affix Arsenal after a reported £10million preliminary price, plus £5m in add-ons, was agreed with the Bees on Wednesday.
Norgaard could change into Arsenal’s first official signing of the summer time amid studies that Actual Sociedad wish to wait till July to finalise the exit of Martin Zubimendi for accounting functions and with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival delayed.
Arsenal have agreed a deal to signal Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, who is about for a medical
The Dane is poised to maneuver throughout London to the Gunners for £10m and as much as £5m in add-ons
Mikel Arteta is bringing Norgaard in with Thomas Partey (pictured) set to go away the membership this summer time
Danish worldwide Norgaard joined the Bees in 2019 and has been an important a part of their solidification as a Premier League membership. He made 196 appearances beneath former supervisor and fellow countryman Thomas Frank and was named Brentford captain in 2023.
Norgaard is one in all a number of Brentford stars attracting the curiosity of larger golf equipment this summer time, with Mail Sport reporting on Wednesday that the Bees are beneath assault by way of dropping gamers and employees after a price for the Dane was agreed with Arsenal.
The transfer comes simply on the proper time for the Gunners, who’ve not too long ago needed to come to phrases with the bitter capsule that skilled midfielder Partey could not agree a brand new contract with the north Londoners.
This speedy transfer for Norgaard could all however affirm that Partey will depart the Emirates on June 30.
The previous Atletico Madrid man signed for Arsenal from the Spanish giants in a £45m deal in 2020 and has made 167 appearances for the membership, registering 9 targets and 7 assists.
Nevertheless it was his defensive work in midfield which made probably the most distinction for Arteta’s aspect, because the 32-year-old turned an important a part of the Gunners rebuild.
He made 52 appearances in all competitions final season, shining as Arsenal defeated Actual Madrid on the best way to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Finally, an deadlock has been reached with the membership over a brand new deal, and Arsenal have seemingly been compelled to maneuver on, with Norgaard set to step by means of the door. However how does Norgaard evaluate? Not solely to Partey, however to different elite gamers in his place throughout the Premier League?
The Brentford captain’s defensive qualities can be key for Arsenal’s rebuild beneath Arteta
Nevertheless, Norgaard can be greater than succesful going ahead and has scored 9 targets since signing for Brentford in 2020
Norgaard’s simple qualities
One of the vital necessary issues Norgaard will deliver to Arsenal is his expertise in what continues to be a comparatively younger aspect.
With Jorginho, Partey and Neto departing this summer time, 31-year-old Norgaard will immediately arrive on the Emirates because the oldest participant within the squad.
Thism along with his earlier expertise as a membership captain, means the Dane might develop right into a management function at his new employers.
And on the pitch, his qualities are simple.
In contrast with six of the highest defensive midfielders within the Premier League – Moises Caicedo, Ryan Gravenberch, Sandro Tonali, Partey, Yves Bissouma and Casemiro – Norgaard’s stats for the final marketing campaign are a match for his friends in a number of metrics.
Norgaard leads the group in aerial duels gained with 52 – nearly double Partey’s 28 and 13 away from closest challenger Casemiro.
The 35-cap Denmark worldwide has an aerial twin success price of 61.9 per cent, additionally considerably above Partey.
The Ghanaian leads the day in terms of tackles and general duels gained although, as his 89 tackles outrank Norgaard’s 79 and solely path the 114 of Caicedo.
Arsenal have already misplaced Jorginho this summer time to Flamengo and are in want of some expertise in the midst of the park
Norgaard gained 52 aerial duels final time period, greater than Partey’s 28 and 13 greater than Casemiro
The Dane additionally scored extra targets than the likes of Moises Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch, with 5 league strikes final season
Partey gained 172 duels with a 57.3 per cent success price to marginally surpass Norgaard in each instances, although Chelsea’s Caicedo is once more clear in duels gained and Casemiro leads the group with a 63.5 per cent success price.
Apparently, Norgaard made extra of a helpful contribution on the different finish of the pitch than his friends final season.
With 5 targets and 4 assists within the league, his 9 objective contributions clear Partey and Tonali’s six every.
Norgaard has by no means been a prolific goalscorer throughout his profession however loved his most efficient season thus far final marketing campaign and will supply the Gunners a fair greater risk than they already pose from set items.
Taking part in in a Brentford aspect which might absorb stress after which break quickly, Norgaard naturally accomplished fewer passes than Partey however makes up for it together with his excellent report at successful again possession.
Having gained the ball again 193 occasions, he dwarfs Partey’s report of 138 however as soon as once more trails solely Caicedo.
Norgaard’s 49 interceptions are behind solely Gravenberch, who was voted Premier League Younger Participant of the Season.
A midfield enforcer quite than a deep-lying creator, Norgaard is simply the kind of participant Arsenal want, and his qualities could mix nicely with these of Zubimendi when he inevitably additionally arrives.
Solely Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch (left) made extra interceptions than Norgaard final time period
Norgaard’s qualities would mix nicely with incoming Martin Zubimendi within the Arsenal midfield
What function might Norgaard play?
However what do all these stats imply? They recommend the conclusion that in Norgaard Arsenal might be getting among the finest gamers in his place within the Premier League.
Taking part in arguably the very best soccer of his profession and almost all the time accessible throughout his time in West London, the 31-year-old will really feel he is able to take the journey to the north of the capital and struggle for the highest home and European honours.
He could also be a rotation possibility for Arsenal quite than a nailed-on starter, with Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Norgaard and Zubimendi more likely to compete for 2 spots within the Gunners midfield.
Additionally it is conceivable that Arteta will go for two holding midfielders occasionally, liberating Martin Odegaard or Rice to create in entrance of them.
Regardless, it’s clear that Norgaard may have a giant function to play each on and off the pitch, and he’ll possible have been swayed by Arteta with the possibility to struggle for trophies with one of many greatest golf equipment in England.
This isn’t the primary time Norgaard has been linked with a transfer away from Brentford, amid earlier curiosity from Benfica and up to date competitors from Frank’s new membership Tottenham Hotspur.
The choice to maintain his household in London could have been a telling issue, and it appears the participant has determined that Arsenal’s mission is the proper one for him as he prepares to enter the twilight of his profession.
Brentford have to be apprehensive about what the brand new season could maintain after their prized belongings proceed to slide away from their grasp, however their loss is the Gunners’ achieve.
Former Brentford supervisor Thomas Frank believes Norgaard’s ‘means to sense hazard’ is at an ‘terribly excessive stage’
Norgaard might be in competitors with midfielders Declan Rice (left) and Mikel Merino (proper)
Norgaard signed a brand new contract with the Bees as not too long ago as March.
Former supervisor Frank stated to Brentford’s membership web site after the announcement: ‘Christian has been an integral a part of the incredible journey we have now been on these previous six years. He’s our membership captain and one in all our most necessary gamers.
‘His means to sense hazard and make interceptions is at a very excessive stage, as is his means to play ahead on the primary or second contact. And he has picked up his objective risk this season.
‘The primary time I coached Christian, he was a No 10; now he is likely one of the greatest defensive midfielders within the Premier League.’
