Arsenal are interested in signing Christian Norgaard from Brentford. The Gunners, who are yet to sign a striker in the current transfer window, have now ensured the signing of two defensive midfielders, Martin Zubimendi of Spain being the other.
With Jorginho having left Arsenal and Thomas Partey likely to follow suit, the club has decided to replace them by signing a couple of holding midfielders.
Can Arsenal Afford Another Defensive Midfielder?
The 31-year-old Danish midfielder has registered more than 190 appearances for Brentford.
Not only is he a defensive midfielder, but he can play as a centre-back as well.
However, he will be the fourth defensive midfielder for the Gunners next season, with Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino being the others.
In comparison, the Gunners only have Martin Odegaard to play as the creative attacking midfielder in their squad. Merino can and has played as a centre-forward, but he cannot play as a No. 10.
This makes the Arsenal midfield a bit lop-sided, which does not seem to be a good idea, keeping in mind their ambitions of winning the Premier League title.
Odegaard’s injury did disrupt Arsenal’s title hopes just last season.
Someone like Gabriel Jesus can play as the No. 9 and Kai Havertz can as the No. 10.
However, all those options are tried and tested and have not helped the Gunners break their title drought during the last six years.
Under such circumstances, going for another defensive option in the midfield does not seem to be the ideal option.
Norgaard can be used as a centre-back as well, but then Arsenal already have another one in Riccardo Calafiori, who played in only 23 matches for them last season.
Therefore, it’s easy to remain sceptical about how much game time Norgaard will get next season.
Christian Norgaard Offers Depth, But Raises Bigger Questions
The Danish midfielder can be used as a squad player, with the likes of Zubimendi and Rice starting more often.
It will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta decides to play with a 4-2-3-1 with double-pivot or go with a 4-3-3 with Zubimendi as the lone defensive midfielder and Rice as a No. 8.
Rice enjoys making forward runs quite often and is quite adept as a more aggressive player as well.
Playing with a double-pivot of Zubimendi and Norgaard will make them very strong defensively, though.
However, the conundrum is that they might not adopt such a defensive approach against lesser sides. Therefore, giving Norgaard a chance to play against weaker teams will only be possible if he plays as a lone No. 6 and Zubimendi is given a rest.
Those are the permutations and combinations the Gunners will have to consider next season.
Playing Rice in a more attacking position will help them, but that might make them vulnerable defensively.
Moreover, not yet signing a striker is a decision that continues to baffle many of their supporters.
Arteta has not won a trophy in six years now, and the inability to do so once again next season is not going to help his cause as the Gunners’ manager.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PRiME Media Images
Recording Date/: 04.05.2025