Few Premier League clubs have more riding on this summer transfer window than Arsenal.
A trio of second-placed finishes have left little more room for error if Mikel Arteta and his side are to achieve the success they have spent five years working towards.
A recognised striker has long been viewed as the Gunners’ greatest need in the transfer market, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres linked.
But the news that Thomas Partey is set to leave upon the expiry of his contract has made the signing of a replacement for the Ghanaian holding midfielder pertinent.
That has taken them to Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, who is set to join Arsenal after a reported £10million initial fee, plus £5m in add-ons, was agreed with the Bees on Wednesday.
Norgaard may become Arsenal’s first official signing of the summer amid reports that Real Sociedad would like to wait until July to finalise the exit of Martin Zubimendi for accounting purposes and with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival delayed.
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, who is set for a medical
The Dane is poised to move across London to the Gunners for £10m and up to £5m in add-ons
Mikel Arteta is bringing Norgaard in with Thomas Partey (pictured) set to leave the club this summer
Danish international Norgaard joined the Bees in 2019 and has been a crucial part of their solidification as a Premier League club. He made 196 appearances under former manager and fellow countryman Thomas Frank and was named Brentford captain in 2023.
Norgaard is one of several Brentford stars attracting the interest of bigger clubs this summer, with Mail Sport reporting on Wednesday that the Bees are under attack in terms of losing players and staff after a fee for the Dane was agreed with Arsenal.
The move comes just at the right time for the Gunners, who have recently had to come to terms with the bitter pill that experienced midfielder Partey may not agree a new contract with the north Londoners.
This rapid move for Norgaard may all but confirm that Partey will depart the Emirates on June 30.
The former Atletico Madrid man signed for Arsenal from the Spanish giants in a £45m deal in 2020 and has made 167 appearances for the club, registering nine goals and seven assists.
But it was his defensive work in midfield which made the most difference for Arteta’s side, as the 32-year-old became a crucial part of the Gunners rebuild.
He made 52 appearances in all competitions last season, shining as Arsenal defeated Real Madrid on the way to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Ultimately, an impasse has been reached with the club over a new deal, and Arsenal have seemingly been forced to move on, with Norgaard set to step through the door. But how does Norgaard compare? Not only to Partey, but to other elite players in his position across the Premier League?
However, Norgaard is also more than capable going forward and has scored nine goals since signing for Brentford in 2020
Norgaard’s undeniable qualities
One of the most important things Norgaard will bring to Arsenal is his experience in what is still a relatively young side.
With Jorginho, Partey and Neto departing this summer, 31-year-old Norgaard will instantly arrive at the Emirates as the oldest player in the squad.
Thism in addition to his previous experience as a club captain, means the Dane could grow into a leadership role at his new employers.
And on the pitch, his qualities are undeniable.
Compared with six of the top defensive midfielders in the Premier League – Moises Caicedo, Ryan Gravenberch, Sandro Tonali, Partey, Yves Bissouma and Casemiro – Norgaard’s stats for the last campaign are a match for his peers in several metrics.
Norgaard leads the group in aerial duels won with 52 – almost double Partey’s 28 and 13 clear of closest challenger Casemiro.
The 35-cap Denmark international has an aerial dual success rate of 61.9 per cent, also significantly above Partey.
The Ghanaian leads the day when it comes to tackles and overall duels won though, as his 89 tackles outrank Norgaard’s 79 and only trail the 114 of Caicedo.
Arsenal have already lost Jorginho this summer to Flamengo and are in need of some experience in the middle of the park
Norgaard won 52 aerial duels last term, more than Partey’s 28 and 13 more than Casemiro
Partey won 172 duels with a 57.3 per cent success rate to marginally surpass Norgaard in both cases, though Chelsea’s Caicedo is again clear in duels won and Casemiro leads the group with a 63.5 per cent success rate.
Interestingly, Norgaard made more of a valuable contribution at the other end of the pitch than his peers last season.
With five goals and four assists in the league, his nine goal contributions clear Partey and Tonali’s six each.
Norgaard has never been a prolific goalscorer across his career but enjoyed his most productive season to date last campaign and may offer the Gunners an even bigger threat than they already pose from set pieces.
Playing in a Brentford side which would soak up pressure and then break rapidly, Norgaard naturally completed fewer passes than Partey but makes up for it with his outstanding record at winning back possession.
Having won the ball back 193 times, he dwarfs Partey’s record of 138 but once again trails only Caicedo.
Norgaard’s 49 interceptions are behind only Gravenberch, who was voted Premier League Young Player of the Season.
A midfield enforcer rather than a deep-lying creator, Norgaard is just the type of player Arsenal need, and his qualities may blend well with those of Zubimendi when he inevitably also arrives.
Only Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch (left) made more interceptions than Norgaard last term
Norgaard’s qualities would blend well with incoming Martin Zubimendi in the Arsenal midfield
What role could Norgaard play?
But what do all these stats mean? They suggest the conclusion that in Norgaard Arsenal will be getting one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.
Playing arguably the best football of his career and nearly always available during his time in West London, the 31-year-old will feel he is ready to take the trip to the north of the capital and fight for the top domestic and European honours.
He may be a rotation option for Arsenal rather than a nailed-on starter, with Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Norgaard and Zubimendi likely to compete for two spots in the Gunners midfield.
It is also conceivable that Arteta will opt for two holding midfielders on occasion, freeing Martin Odegaard or Rice to create in front of them.
Regardless, it is clear that Norgaard will have a big role to play both on and off the pitch, and he will likely have been swayed by Arteta with the chance to fight for trophies with one of the biggest clubs in England.
This is not the first time Norgaard has been linked with a move away from Brentford, amid previous interest from Benfica and recent competition from Frank’s new club Tottenham Hotspur.
The decision to keep his family in London may have been a telling factor, and it seems the player has decided that Arsenal’s project is the right one for him as he prepares to enter the twilight of his career.
Brentford must be worried about what the new season may hold after their prized assets continue to slip away from their grasp, but their loss is the Gunners’ gain.
Former Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes Norgaard’s ‘ability to sense danger’ is at an ‘extraordinarily high level’
Norgaard will be in competition with midfielders Declan Rice (left) and Mikel Merino (right)
Norgaard signed a new contract with the Bees as recently as March.
Former manager Frank said to Brentford’s club website after the announcement: ‘Christian has been an integral part of the fantastic journey we have been on these past six years. He is our club captain and one of our most important players.
‘His ability to sense danger and make interceptions is at an extraordinarily high level, as is his ability to play forward on the first or second touch. And he has picked up his goal threat this season.
‘The first time I coached Christian, he was a No 10; now he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.’
