Christian Nørgaard has joined Everton after one season at Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta revealing the influence he had beyond limited minutes.
Christian Norgaard’s time at Arsenal has come to an end after just one season, with the midfielder sealing a permanent switch to Everton. Yet for Mikel Arteta, Nørgaard’s influence on the Premier League champions was about much more than his minutes on the pitch suggest.
The 32-year-old made 20 appearances in all competitions after arriving from Brentford last summer. He departs with a Premier League winners’ medal in his pocket and a new two-year deal at Everton that runs until June 2028.
Breaking into Arteta’s preferred midfield was always going to be a tall order when he signed for the Gunners. Given his limited involvement, a move to Everton makes sense. But Arteta’s view of Norgaard’s time at Arsenal suggests there’s more to the story than just minutes played.
Speaking after the 3-1 pre-season defeat to Real Betis, the Arsenal manager said: “He played a tremendous role for us.”
Norgaard’s signing was never just about what he could do on a matchday.
The Danish international joined as a seasoned Premier League midfielder, having captained Brentford for several years before his move to North London. Arsenal needed depth in midfield, but Arteta was also looking for someone who could lift the group behind the scenes.
“When I brought him here, I said that he could be our glue player,” Arteta explained.
“An incredible capacity to bring people together to keep the standards high.”
Arteta's comments hint at the quieter, less visible value Norgaard brought to the Gunners during their title-winning campaign.
His job was to stay ready, even when he knew starts would be hard to come by. He helped keep standards high in training, backed up those ahead of him, and played his part in holding the squad together as the Gunners chased trophies on multiple fronts.
Arteta also felt the 32-year-old delivered for Arsenal when opportunities did arrive.
“When he played, he had some really good moments as well,” he said.
For Norgaard, it was always going to be a challenge adapting to life as a squad player after years as a regular starter and leader.
He had been at the heart of Brentford’s rise, racking up 196 appearances over six seasons and wearing the captain’s armband. Moving to Arsenal meant accepting a smaller role for a shot at the biggest prizes, but staying another year would have meant more time on the sidelines and less football.
Arteta acknowledged that reality.
“But I understand that to fulfill that role for long periods is not easy,” he added.
Now, Everton offer Norgaard the chance to play more regularly and bring his experience and leadership to yet another Premier League squad.
Arteta also indicated the move made sense because Nørgaard was joining familiar surroundings.
“He had a massive opportunity with a manager and a club that know really well and yeah wish him all the best and thank you.”
The 32-year-old's time at Arsenal won’t be remembered for a string of match-winning displays or a regular spot in the starting eleven. But as Arteta’s words make clear, his time on the pitch was only part of the story.
Arteta saw him as the glue that held the group together and kept the daily standards where they needed to be. Everton get a midfielder who can make a difference on the pitch, but Arsenal lose a senior figure whose influence was often felt away from the cameras.