David Ornstein: Arsenal close in on €11m midfield move | OneFootball

Arsenal Close In on Christian Norgaard Signing From Brentford

Smart Depth or Short-Term Patch?

Arsenal are edging closer to their first senior midfield signing of the summer with Brentford’s Christian Norgaard reportedly set to make the switch to north London. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal have tabled a bid of €11million (£9.3m) for the Danish international and, although the deal is not finalised, there is growing optimism that it will go through.

Norgaard’s name may not have lit up headlines like some of Arsenal’s other midfield targets in recent windows, but his Premier League pedigree and tactical discipline make him a dependable acquisition — especially in a summer where midfield exits are mounting.

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“Arsenal have not reached an agreement with Thomas Partey, whose contract is up on June 30,” Ornstein reports. “As it stands the Ghanaian will leave the club as a free agent next week.” His potential departure follows Jorginho’s move to Flamengo, leaving Mikel Arteta’s midfield in need of reinforcements.

Norgaard’s Brentford Legacy

Since arriving from Fiorentina in 2019, Christian Norgaard has become a cornerstone of Brentford’s Premier League journey. With 192 appearances and 13 goals, he was a pivotal figure in their promotion to the top flight and has provided consistent performances under now-departed head coach Thomas Frank.

Norgaard’s familiarity with Premier League football, leadership qualities, and positional intelligence have stood out in Brentford’s high-intensity system. He played his best football under Frank — now at Tottenham — and it will be interesting to see how he adapts under Arteta’s more possession-based structure.

Ornstein notes that Norgaard has two years left on his current deal, making Brentford’s willingness to sell a pragmatic move amid their summer reshuffle.

Zubimendi Still in the Frame

While Norgaard offers immediate experience and depth, Arsenal’s midfield puzzle isn’t fully solved. Ornstein states that “they expect to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, with the Spain international having visited London to meet officials from the club last week.”

Zubimendi represents a more dynamic long-term investment, but Norgaard could be the ideal transitional figure. A calm head, a natural defensive screen, and a leader — he offers many traits Arsenal lacked in high-stakes matches last season.

Squad Depth Crucial for Upcoming Campaign

With Champions League football again on the agenda, Arteta knows the need for midfield options who are reliable and experienced. While not flashy, Norgaard’s arrival could be likened to the kind of signings title-contending sides make to ensure squad stability through a demanding calendar.

If Arsenal seal both Norgaard and Zubimendi, they’ll boast a vastly reshaped engine room — one with a blend of youthful energy and seasoned maturity.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal fan’s point of view, the Christian Norgaard deal feels like a smart, under-the-radar signing that could prove very useful. He’s not the big-name marquee addition many hoped for, but he’s a solid professional who has proven his worth in the Premier League. At £9.3m, the price is right — especially when considering the need for depth following the likely departure of both Partey and Jorginho.

Norgaard brings grit, discipline, and positional intelligence — qualities Arteta clearly values. He’s not the most progressive passer, but with Zubimendi potentially coming in, that responsibility may not fall on him. In many ways, this could mirror the impact Mohamed Elneny had during his earlier years at Arsenal — reliable, consistent, and always ready.

There’s also the psychological factor. With Tottenham appointing Thomas Frank, Norgaard’s long-time mentor, there’s an added narrative here. Choosing Arsenal over a possible Spurs reunion signals intent and ambition. It’s not about nostalgia — it’s about contributing to a project that’s knocking on the door of major honours.

If this deal gets wrapped up quickly and Zubimendi follows, Arsenal’s midfield will be in better shape than many think. For fans craving silverware, these kinds of shrewd acquisitions can be just as important as the headline-grabbing ones.