Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be forced to make a big change in midfield during the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP tonight.
The Gunners secured a slender 1-0 lead over the Portuguese champions on the road last week. Sporting CP were the better side during the opening half, but David Raya was brilliant in goal.
Arsenal eventually grabbed a 91st-minute winner through Kai Havertz. They now host Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium. An aggregate win would secure a semi-final berth against Atletico Madrid.
Ahead of the second leg, Arteta has already confirmed a major concern with midfielder Declan Rice absent from Tuesday’s open training session. The manager revealed that he was not able to train.
With a short turnaround before tonight’s game, we won’t be surprised if Arteta is forced into a change. Norgaard could be unleashed as the defensive midfielder from the off against Sporting CP.
The Denmark international has been used sparingly by the manager over the course of the campaign and has only played when Martin Zubimendi or Rice have been rested due to fitness concerns.
The £15 million signing is a proven leader from his time as Brentford’s captain, and he is a strong candidate to start in midfield over Lewis-Skelly if Rice is deemed unfit to make the first XI.
The 32-year-old has fared well in the Champions League this campaign with a passing accuracy of 89 percent. He has won almost 70 percent of his ground duels with two recoveries per outing.
If Rice is unable to start, Norgaard would most certainly occupy the number six position, and Zubimendi could operate in central midfield for the north London giants.
Zubimendi’s form is a major concern heading into the second leg. He won just 38 percent of his duels and lost possession 12 times during the recent 2-1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth.
The Spaniard must step for the Gunners as they eye a second-straight Champions League semi-final.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com