Christian Norgaard, Arsenal’s selfless ‘spare man’ and his important role in Arteta’s squad

When Arsenal visited Leeds on January 31, Christian Norgaard was not initially named in the matchday squad. Instead, he accompanied the main group in the unenviable role of Arsenal’s ‘reserve man’.

This place is sometimes occupied by a younger player or a reserve goalkeeper, so it is unusual for it to go to a 31-year-old international.

The fact that Norgaard is willing to accept such a situation is a testament to his humility. The fact that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is willing to select him there is testament to his confidence. Arteta knows that if necessary, Norgaard will be ready.

It turned out: when Bukayo Saka withdrew from the warm-up due to injury, Norgaard got on the substitutes’ bench. This was no problem: Norgaard had prepared, as he does every day, as if he were going to start.

Being on the fringes of the first team has offered Norgaard new mental and physical challenges.

Arsenal take on the Danish international’s former club Brentford this evening (Thursday). The midfielder spent six years in west London; the last two as club captain. Invariably, he was one of the first names on the team sheet.

Since joining Arsenal last summer, he has had to get used to a radically different role. His 89th-minute debut in the 3–0 win over Sunderland was just his fourth Premier League appearance. He only played 22 minutes in the league.

Norgaard has only played 22 minutes in the Premier League this season (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Fifteen times this season, Norgaard has been an unused substitute in a Premier League match. For matches against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United in January, he was not even named in the matchday squad – again Arsenal’s ‘reserve man’.

If not for injuries, Norgaard might have found himself in this position more frequently. If Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Saka were fit and available, Norgaard might risk missing Thursday’s match against his former club altogether.

But Norgaard was bought for a purpose – and he achieves it.

When it was confirmed that neither Jorginho nor Thomas Partey would stay at Arsenal beyond last summer, Arteta’s priority was to replace them with Premier League experience. Arsenal’s initial target was Joao Palhinha. They explored a potential deal with Bayern Munich, but the costs were prohibitive for what would have been a loan deal.

Arsenal scoured the market for a player with comparable attributes and quickly landed on Norgaard. Their due diligence provided enormous references on Norgaard’s character. Brentford didn’t want to lose him – he had signed a new contract a few months previously – but felt they couldn’t stand in his way.

The fact he came from Brentford was a bonus. “It’s one of the best-run clubs in Europe,” Arteta told a press conference on Wednesday. “They are really smart and very good at hiring the best people, the best professionals and have great processes in place. You have to look to those places if you want to attract people who are better than you and bring perspectives to the club to help you succeed.”

Norgaard jumped at the chance, but it brought a change of pace. Footballers tend to be happiest when playing football. Accepting a role where playing time may be limited is a considerable sacrifice. It’s more common among players nearing retirement, but at 31, Norgaard has several years ahead of him.

But a move to Arsenal also brought benefits, beyond the obvious pay rise. He has spoken of achieving “a childhood dream” of hearing the Champions League anthem and could well end the season with his first medals secured outside of Denmark. Norgaard shed tears when he saw his son Elliot wearing an Arsenal jersey with his last name on the back.

Norgaard was captain of Brentford when he joined Arsenal last summer (Cameron Smith – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Norgaard knew joining Arsenal represented a compromise. It was one he did voluntarily and consciously.

“I knew it would be a different role here to the one I had at Brentford, and I try to accept that as much as possible,” Norgaard told a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League match against Kairat Almaty.

“Obviously I’d love to play more minutes, but the minutes I’ve had, I’ve really enjoyed them. Even though I’m not playing as much, I’m still trying to contribute to anything related to the group.”

For many new signings, the intensity and level of detail of Arteta’s training sessions may come as a shock. It took Norgaard a few weeks to acclimatize, but his commitment was unwavering.

This attitude has won over Norgaard’s fans at Arsenal’s London Colney training center, mainly Arteta. “He’s someone who makes us all better every day,” the Arsenal manager said in December. Martin Zubimendi called Norgaard the club’s “best coach”.

“I do it for myself,” Norgaard said. “I’m not doing it to get closer to the team. I’m doing it because I feel better as a human being and that shouldn’t be affected by whether I’m a starter or on the bench.”

His conduct, whether selected or not, has been exemplary.

“He can play in any position,” says Arteta. “Whether he plays more or less minutes, his attitude is impeccable, a very good example for all of us.”

“I feel frustrated when I don’t play, but that’s normal,” Norgaard said. “It’s about how you can turn that frustration into positive energy that you can pass on to your teammates.”

It’s the days when Norgaard is completely left out that are the hardest. “You feel a little helpless,” he says.

For a player used to contributing, this helplessness is painful. But Norgaard always strives to support in every way possible: continuing to push, support and maintain high training standards.

Although Norgaard has been on the fringes of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, he has made more substantial contributions in other competitions. He played the full 90 minutes of Arsenal’s first three Carabao Cup matches, playing his part in a journey that will culminate in a final at Wembley on March 22.

He featured in five of Arsenal’s eight Champions League matches, including as an emergency centre-half in the 3–0 win over Club Brugge.

There may be more to come. The injury to Merino, who underwent surgery for a broken foot on Monday, deprived Arteta of a replacement for Rice and Zubimendi. This midfield double act is of crucial importance to Arsenal’s season. Norgaard could play a crucial role in lightening their load. The FA Cup tie with Wigan on Sunday is another game that has surely been reserved for Norgaard.

Back home, the Dane’s biggest fan will be very attentive.

“My grandmother collects all kinds of different articles from different newspapers throughout the year,” Norgaard said. “She’s been doing this for nine years, so I have a big stack of albums.

“It’s the best Christmas present I get every year. The whole family sits around this album on Christmas Eve, and it’s a very special time.”

This Christmas, Norgaard hopes the album will be filled with photos of trophy celebrations. If that happens, a season as a selfless member of the team will have been well worth it.