(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Fri 27 March 2026 10:15, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard may be knocking on Mikel Arteta’s door after his performance for Denmark in their 4-0 win over North Macedonia.

The Gunners star scored his country’s fourth goal in their Thursday night demolition job, as they cruised to victory to set up a play-off final date against Czechia next Tuesday.

The 32-year-old played in a somewhat unfamiliar centre-back position on this occasion, as Denmark boss Brian Riemer was forced to try and find makeshift solutions amid a number of injury concerns.

Norgaard has received rave reviews for his performance in midweek, as he played a crucial role in his team keeping a vital clean sheet.

He didn’t feature at all in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City last time out, but he has every right to be in the manager’s ear after his latest exploits on the international scene.

Christian Norgaard proves his worth as Danish media ecstatic

Norgaard has had to bide his time in recent months after his move to the Emirates Stadium from Brentford last summer.

The versatile star opted to join the title challenge in North London, but he has played just 56 minutes of Premier League football since his decision to cross the capital.

However, his display for his country on Thursday night has surely proven to Arteta that he is ready to be called upon.

Norgaard won 70 per cent of his duels against North Macedonia, while also ending the game with an impressive seven defensive contributions, despite the dominance from his team.

His performance has been hailed by the Danish media, with Tipsbladet handing him a five-star rating, due to his “unfailing confidence” and ability to read the game.

DR also gave him a 7/10 rating, as they believed that he showed “plenty of calm” and assuredness with the ball at his feet.

Norgaard’s display in the centre of the backline has shown to Arteta that he has another string to his bow, and it has also proven that he is ready to fill in if Arsenal suffer injury issues in midfield or defence between now and the end of the season.

Arsenal fans desperate to see Norgaard feature more often

Arsenal fans hailed Norgaard’s performance after their FA Cup victory over League One side Wigan Athletic, and several have been confused as to why he hasn’t featured more since then.

The versatile star was a key feature of Thomas Frank’s successful Brentford side in recent years, but has quickly faded into the background at the Emirates.

Granted, he is now competing against world-class players across the board in Arteta’s squad, but the fact that he is still yet to start a league game for his new club is not reflective of him as a player at all.

Arsenal supporters have been keen to see him involved more regularly of late, and his latest performance for Denmark could finally be the moment that tempts Arteta into throwing him into the fold.