Midfielder Christian Norgaard has expressed his desire to get forward after becoming Arsenal's third signing of the summer with more arrivals to follow soon
Christian Norgaard hopes he can continue to increase his attacking output after completing a £12m move to Arsenal.
The former Brentford captain arrives with many expecting he will be used as a defensive midfielder in Mikel Arteta ’s 4-3-3 system.
But the Dane has said his game is about more than breaking up play and starting moves from deep - having started as an attack-minded player as a youngster.
“It's developed a little bit over the years. I started as a more offensive player and now I'm a bit more of a holding midfielder,” Norgaard said. “It's important for me that a team has a good defensive structure and hopefully I can contribute to that.
"Then coming off a season where I've had a lot of goal involvements, it's something I really hope I can take into this season as well. I don't know what the gaffer’s plans are with me but hopefully I can also have some freedom to join the offensive play.”
Norgaard, 31, becomes the Gunners' third new arrival of the summer after goalkepeer Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, taking their spending to £77m.
The Dane has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the option of a third. Arsenal have agreed to pay Brentford an initial £10m plus £2m in potential add-ons.
Arsenal are now pushing on for a deal to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea, with personal terms already agreed. The England winner remains with Chelsea at the Club World Cup ahead of Sunday's final against Paris Saint-Germain.
But the wait for Arteta's squad to be boosted by a much coveted centre forward goes on as latest reports suggest talks with Sporting Lisbon over Viktor Gyokeres have hit a wall because of a dispute over the upfront fee.
Sporting are demanding an additional £5m to what has been offered by Arsenal executives who have returned from a trip to the negotiating table in Lisbon. Fresh talks are expected to take place despite claims in Portuguese media that the move was in jeopardy.
Gyokeres agreed personal terms with the Gunners several weeks ago and will sign a five-year deal if a fee can be agreed between the clubs.
Jamadinors
9
It is all down to Arteta and his distaste for attacking football. If Cunha can be signed by Man United for £62.m why is Arsenal and Arteta arguing about a £60m for Gyokerres? If Arteta is hoping that he will continue his deceitful use of Gabriel and Kai as strikers, he must be preparing for his sack. Arsenal fans will demand for Arteta’s sack if he wins nothing this year whether he hires a striker or not. It will even be a sure thing if he did not sign a striker. Berta had better be sure what he is doing. Signing three players for £70m is not an achievement on its own. The results will decide.