Christian Norgaard: Why Brentford captain is perfect fit for Arsenal, after rejecting Liverpool and Chelsea | OneFootball

The Dane is considered a physical leader who will offer effortless control in midfield

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Norgaard enjoyed his best season in a Brentford shirt last term, with Frank, who brought Norgaard to the club from Fiorentina in 2019, calling him an integral part of the team.

Christian Norgaard is taking a step up

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"We've done quite good in the Premier League in the last four years. He's been an integral part of it," Frank said of Norgaard following his decision to sign a new deal.

A figure of calm and composure in the centre of the park, Norgaard ranked first for combined tackles and interceptions for Brentford last season, setting the tempo for the Bees in possession with his sweeping diagonal passes, freeing up Bryan Mbeumo on the right wing.

The 31-year-old, a quietly assertive leader, also added goals to his game last term, netting five times for Brentford in the league, with decisive strikes against Manchester City and Bournemouth showcasing his ability to lead by example.

With Norgaard's contract entering its final year at the start of last season, there had been talk that Brentford should move on from the midfielder as they looked to step out of the shadow of the team that got them promoted to the top flight.

Norgaard, however, proved emphatically, by starting 34 of Brentford's 38 league games, that despite his advancing years he still has plenty to offer and was rewarded with a fresh deal that will land the club a modest windfall.

Arteta could not pass on the opportunity to sign the captain of arguably the Premier League's hardest-working team

With Martin Zubimendi's imminent arrival complementing Declan Rice, Norgaard will be utilised in a supporting role next season.

Gametime may be limited, but Norgaard, similarly to Jorginho, provides an effortless control in possession that will allow him to adapt in-game to Mikel Arteta's demands while adding a layer of physicality that Jorginho struggled to provide.

Arsenal love to overwhelm their opponents through size, especially from set-pieces, and in Norgaard, standing at 6ft 1in, they have another player, coming from a Brentford side renowned for their set-play intelligence, who can use their body to dominate in both boxes.

Physicality is a requirement at Arsenal. Running, tackling and intercepting are all skills Arteta prioritises, and so to be able to take the club captain, someone who embodies everything Brentford are about, from arguably the Premier League's hardest-working team, is an opportunity the Spaniard could hardly pass up.

Arteta will enjoy working with someone as diligent and studious as Norgaard. The Arsenal manager's intensity can be startling, but that should be no issue for Norgaard. This is a man who turned down advances from Liverpool and Chelsea last summer because he believed in the culture under Frank, an environment built on scrapping egos and working intensely day in and day out.

Arsenal need goals in their side if they're to secure a first league title in 21 years next season.

Calm heads, though, will be essential, and Norgaard is a sensible addition who will understand straight away what is demanded of him. Title-winning sides need strong characters and consistency, something Norgaard has in abundance.