A big Arsenal win against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, February 15, at the Emirates Stadium paved the way for their qualification to the fifth round of the competition. The Arsenal win was secured in the first half itself that saw the Gunners score four goals.
The second half of the match did not produce any goal and a big 4-0 Arsenal win took the home side into the fifth round. Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored for Arsenal, but it was another player who caught the eye in the match.
Christian Norgaard Outstanding Player in Arsenal Win
Arsenal rested a few key players like Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the match against an easier opposition, while Martin Odegaard was injured. Norgaard, who has been used as a fringe player this season so far, started as the defensive midfielder, but effectively operated as a deep-lying playmaker.
Norgaard sat between the two centre-backs and pulled the strings from deep with his long passes to the forwards. He also managed to grab an assist in the match with one of his long passes. He repeatedly managed to slice open the Wigan defence with his measured passes, which contributed significantly towards the Arsenal win.
The 31-year-old former Brentford player thus became a standout player in the match. The Arsenal forwards ran riot in the match, and the Wigan defence proved to be inept at handling their penetrating runs. The through passes played by Norgaard and Eberechi Eze, who played as the No.10, had the Wigan defence perennially in trouble.
With both Rice and Zubimendi in great form, it remains unlikely that Norgaard will get much game time this season. However, if he managed to keep making the opportunities that come his way count as he did on Sunday in the Arsenal win, he can certainly get more minutes under his belt.
Norgaard has played in only four Premier League matches this season. Hence, the chances of him starting for the Gunners are very slim, unless any injury occurs to either Rice or Zubimendi. However, the Dane remains a valuable asset for the Gunners in their attempt to break open teams that defend deep.
Norgaard’s ability to find his teammates with long passes is very important for his team in this regard.
Both Rice and Zubimendi have been adept at scoring goals from advanced positions this season. Hence, Norgaard’s ability to stay deep and pull the strings provides the Gunners with another dimension.
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What’s Next for Arsenal?
After the Arsenal win against Wigan, the Gunners will take on Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur in their two remaining matches this month in the Premier League. Then, on March 1, they will take on Chelsea in another key match in the Premier League.
All three of the above matches are important for the Gunners in the Premier League title race. In order to maintain the four-point advantage they have over Manchester City, they must be able to get maximum points from their next few matches.
The Cityzens are enjoying a decent form at the moment and will feel that the momentum is with them. It now remains to be seen whether the North Londoners have enough left in them to cross the finishing line ahead of Man City.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 15.02.2026
