Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been busy early on in the transfer window. Spaniards Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga have already been brought in, with Christian Norgaard being unveiled as the Gunners’ third signing of the summer.
Norgaard leaves Brentford after six years at the club, where he made 196 appearances, to join Arsenal for £15 million. The former Bees captain has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third year.
The Danish international has played four seasons of Premier League football, helping the Bees get promoted from the Championship. Last season, he made 34 appearances in the league, gaining nine goal involvements.
This was crucial in terms of his transfer, with Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta’s decision when looking for a replacement for Jorginho, who signed for Flamengo this summer.
Analysing Christian Norgaard’s Career
Norgaard started his career in his home country of Denmark, gaining a position in Lyngby Boldklub’s academy in 2008. Just three years later, in November 2011, he earned his first professional appearance as a substitute in a 2–2 draw in the Danish Superliga.
Despite this, he had already gained interest from notable European clubs, with the defensive midfielder signing for Hamburg for €400,000.
Despite this transfer, he failed to make an appearance for the senior team, starting 22 times for the club’s second team in the Regionalliga Nord across a season and a half.
Due to this, he departed the German side, opting for a return to Denmark. Here he signed for Brøndby, with his transfer announced in late 2013.
After a difficult first few seasons at the club, where he struggled for consistent game time, he soon became a regular fixture in the team when the club appointed Alexander Zorniger.
Under the former Stuttgart and RB Leipzig manager, he signed a contract extension of two and a half years and was named Brøndby’s Player of the Year in 2017.
After winning the Danish Cup in 2018, he signed for Fiorentina. The transfer was a four-year contract with the transfer costing the Italian club €3.5 million. Albeit, after just one season, he was transfer-listed after just six appearances.
It was at this stage that he signed for Brentford, managed by former Brøndby coach Thomas Frank. In his first season in West London, he appeared in 45 out of 46 matches in the Championship.
Despite being ruled out with an ankle problem for four months the following season, he returned to action in a campaign that saw the Bees get promoted at Wembley.
From here, the Danish international has made 122 Premier League appearances, with 23 goal involvements.
He was even named Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season in the 2021/22 season, his first season in England’s top flight.
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Why Norgaard’s Transfer Suits Arsenal
After the departure of Jorginho, Arsenal needed a suitable replacement. Jorginho was signed just two and a half years ago by Arsenal, but was brought in due to his vast experience in the Premier League for a cheap fee of £12 million.
Norgaard ticks many of the same boxes. Premier League experience, and a cheap fee. The latter seems to be crucial for this transfer.
After three consecutive second-place Premier League finishes, the Gunners are looking to spend heavily in the summer. This includes the possible signings of Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP and a new left-winger.
Moreover, with the signing of fellow defensive midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, it allows for cover should the Spaniard not adapt to English football.
This transfer allows for vast experience and great squad depth in midfield, which should help the club progress further in cup competitions.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 25.05.2025