Arsenal replace aging midfield duo with two new signings

Photo Credit: Getty Images

It’s been a busy summer for Arsenal as they look to strengthen their squad to avoid a fourth consecutive season finishing as Premier League runners-up. While there could be more than a few new high-profile attacking additions coming later this summer, two of their three already completed transfers might fly under the radar by the time the Gunners begin the 2025-26 Premier League campaign in mid-August.

Arsenal signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea as their first move of the summer transfer window, continuing Arsenal’s theme of poaching veteran talent from their London rivals. Kepa will serve as the club’s backup keeper after Neto returned to AFC Bournemouth following his season-long loan in North London. While Kepa will be a capable backup to starter David Raya, he won’t have nearly as much of an impact as the club’s next two signings.

Over the last five days, Arsenal have announced the signings of central midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

Zubimendi signed from Real Sociedad on July 6 for a reported $70.6 million transfer fee. The Spanish international defensive midfielder had been in transfer rumors for multiple seasons now, with moves to Arsenal or Liverpool having been reported in the past.

“Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.

Strong in possession, the 26-year-old will be the orchestrator for Arteta’s midfield. Zubimendi was one of the most successful passers in Spain’s La Liga last season. He ranked fourth in successful passes (1,479) and touches (2,197). Zubimendi had the fourth-most line-breaking passes (238) by La Liga midfielders in 2024-25, only behind Real Madrid’s midfield trio of Luka Modric (275), Federico Valverde (258), and Aurelien Tchouameni (241). 147 of his 238 line-breaking passes entered the final third, with 29 splitting the defense.

While a great passer for his defensive position, Zubimendi shines as a typical defensive midfielder. He finished second in possession won back (94 times) in Spain’s top flight last season, averaging 1.3 interceptions and 2.2 tackles per match. He also won 282 duels - both on the ground and in the air - in 36 league games, earning a 62 percent success rate, the fourth-highest in La Liga.

It will be a smooth transition into the Arsenal midfield for Zubimendi due to his familiarity with two of the club’s top midfielders. Zubimendi played at his boyhood club, Real Sociedad, with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Spanish international Mikel Merino. Zubimendi and Odegaard played together at Real Sociedad in the 2019-20 season when the Norwegian was on loan from Real Madrid. Odegaard would spend just one season at the Reale Arena before spending the next season on loan at Arsenal. Zubimendi and Merino spent five years patrolling the midfield together at Real Sociedad, and are also teammates on the Spain National Team. The duo were key parts to Spain winning the 2024 UEFA European Championship.

“This is a huge moment in my career,” said Martin Zubimendi. “It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.

“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”

Arsenal had interest in Zubimendi last season when they ultimately bought Merino, but circled back this summer to bring the 26-year-old to the Emirates Stadium. Zubimendi will gel well with Arsenal boss Arteta, who, like his new signing, is from San Sebastian, Spain. Zubimendi will start at the base of the midfield for Arsenal, replacing Thomas Partey, who left as a free agent in June.

Four days later, Arsenal signed central midfielder Christian Norgaard for $13.5 million from Brentford. The 31-year-old isn’t a flashy signing by any stretch of the imagination, but will serve a crucial role needed on every team. A two-year captain for Brentford, Norgaard will act as a reliable veteran midfielder for the club, filling the role left by Jorginho, who departed the club as a free agent after two years.

“We’re delighted to welcome Christian to Arsenal,” Arteta said. “He is an international player with a wealth of experience of the Premier League. He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad.”

Norgaard joined Brentford in 2019, reuniting with former coach Thomas Frank. It took two years for Brentford to make it to the Premier League, but once they did, Norgaard was key to the club’s top-flight rise. During his first Premier League season, Norgaard scored a goal against Arsenal on the opening day, had the most tackles of anyone in the league, and won the club’s Player of the Year award.

The Danish international, who has made 35 appearances for his country, played in 122 games for Brentford, adding 31 goal contributions. In 2024-25, Norgaard’s final season with Brentford, he had his most prominent scoring season of his career. The 31-year-old scored six goals and tallied four assists in all club competitions. Norgaard has scored twice against his new club, both coming in the 2021-22 Premier League season. Nine of his 11 Premier League goals have come via dead-ball situations, which bodes well for him joining a club that is known for scoring off set-pieces.

Norgaard is viewed as a traditional defensive midfielder with more of an aerial presence. Since 2021-22, no Premier League player has more interceptions (201) and recovered possession (844 times) than the Dane. His 62% aerial duel success rate was the 11th-highest among midfielders in England’s top flight last season.

Touted as a leader, Norgaard wore the captain’s armband during his final two seasons for Brentford. His journey as a captain started at a young age when he donned the armband under Frank for Denmark’s Under-19 team. Just like Jorginho, the man he is replacing at the Emirates, Norgaard is preparing to start his career in coaching upon retirement.

"He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility,” Arteta said. “He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance. Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch, and we’re excited to start working with him in this next chapter of his career. We welcome Christian and his family to Arsenal.”

These signings won’t be the last for Arsenal this summer. They are said to be working on deals for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. Rumors have also circulated about center back Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and winger Rodrygo from Real Madrid.