Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Christian Norgaard prepares for matches more rigorously than any other player at the club, hailing his ‘immaculate’ attitude.
The 31-year-old was a surprise summer signing from Brentford and has seen his game time limited since arriving in north London.
The Dane has made just seven appearances in all competitions but was in the stating line-up on Wednesday as the Gunners travelled to Club Brugge.
With Arsenal suffering a number of injuries in defence, Norgaard was drafted in at centre-back and did a good job in the 3-0 win for Arteta’s men in Belgium.
The results continues a perfect start to the Champions League campaign, with six wins from six outings so far putting the Gunners top of the group stage table.
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Arteta was full of praise for Norgaard after the win at Club Brugge, hailing his work ethic, attitude and flexibility to play in a number of positions.
‘Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them,’ Arteta told TNT Sports. ‘He is someone who makes all of us better every single day.
‘He can play in any position, whether he plays more or less minutes his attitude is immaculate, a really good example for all of us.’
Noni Madueke scored twice with Gabriel Martinelli netting the third as Arsenal bounced back from defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Arteta handed 16-year-old Marli Salmon a debut as the defender came off the bench, replacing Ben White on 83 minutes.
On throwing the teenager into an already makeshift defence, Arteta said: ‘The thought was as well from yesterday, the fact that we had to play Christian [Norgaard] as well, we had to really consider it because we were playing a really good side that had some really good results in the Champions League at home as well, but we knew that at some point we had to use him.
‘So, he was ready, he was prepared, he can play as a centre-back or as a full-back and I’m delighted. He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League. So yeah, what a great night for him as well.
‘That’s great, that’s what we want. That’s why we put so much work and everybody in the academy puts so much enthusiasm and work. And for a long time, you have to prepare those talents. So, thanks to them, because when we need them, they are there, they are ready to perform. So that’s great.’
The victory in Belgium also saw the return from injury of Gabriel Jesus after suffering a serious knee problem in January.
‘So happy for him, I think you can see how much we all love him,’ Arteta said of the Brazilian forward. ‘It’s been a very, very difficult and long journey.
‘For 11 months he’s been fighting against another very difficult injury and to see him back with that smile, with that energy and with that quality in his first performance with us is something really impressive and we’re all delighted for him.’