Cole Palmer of Chelsea is fouled by Christian Norgaard of Everton during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Chelsea FC at Hill Di...
Cole Palmer of Chelsea is fouled by Christian Norgaard of Everton during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Chelsea FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Christian Norgaard is unlikely to play a significant role for Everton against former club Arsenal on Saturday, amid suggestions he’s still not back to his best after injury.
Christian Norgaard signing for Everton (Photo via EvertonFC.com)
Photo via EvertonFC.com
Following his summer move from Arsenal to Everton, Christian Norgaard has had a frustrating start to life with his new club.
A groin injury ruled the midfielder out until this month, and he only made his Everton debut last week against Chelsea, coming on as a late substitute.
Unfortunately, David Moyes has admitted that debut appearance made it clear that Norgaard still isn’t quite ready to have an impact for his new club.
David Moyes, Manager of Everton, applauds the fans after the team's victory during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
David Moyes, Manager of Everton, applauds the fans after the team's victory during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“I think when we brought him on, we realised he’s a little bit further away than we all had hoped,” Moyes said. “But we expected that. We didn’t think he’d be fully firing until probably the next international break, if we’re being honest.
“He’s had no real pre-season with us, he’s probably had about seven days training.
“Christian was the first to come to me and say he’s sorry about it and he’s realised he’s a bit further away than we probably all thought.”
MANSFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Christian Norgaard of Arsenal interacts with mascots as he enters the pitch to warm up prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Mansfield Town and Arsenal at One Call Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
MANSFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Christian Norgaard of Arsenal interacts with mascots as he enters the pitch to warm up prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Mansfield Town and Arsenal at One Call Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Everton are now set to travel away to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, potentially providing Norgaard with a reunion with his former teammates.
But it doesn’t sound as though Moyes is tipping Norgaard for any kind of serious involvement against his old club. If he wasn’t ready for a few minutes against Chelsea last week, it would be a real surprise if he played any more than that against the team five points above Chelsea in the table.
On the other side of things, former Arsenal academy player Ainsley Maitland-Niles is in line to make his first-ever appearance against the Gunners.
As a loanee, Maitland-Niles was ineligible to play for West Bromwich Albion or Southampton in their games against Arsenal, and Lyon never hade a match against the Gunners during his three years there.
So even without Norgaard, there should be one former Gunner on the pitch.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton celebrates his goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton celebrates his goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Former Gunner unlikely to play for Everton against ArsenalChristian Norgaard is unlikely to play a significant role for Everton against former club Arsenal on Saturday, amid suggestions he’s still not back to his best after injury.
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