Arsenal’s interest in signing Brentford captain Christian Norgaard has left many fans questioning manager Mikel Arteta’s decision-making processes.
Debates have raged about Arteta since the end of last season, with Gunners fans becoming increasingly frustrated at the club’s failure to win silverware.
As with any high-profile job, football management is a pressurised environment where every decision is scrutinised in forensic detail.
Understanding decision-making processes can illuminate why people make the choices they do and how they can potentially make better ones.
Whether it’s choosing what to eat or how much to wager in a game of chance, decision-making is guided by subconscious influences – and platforms such as this website in the casino and betting space often leverage psychological insights to keep players engaged and returning.
Arteta faces a similar challenge to keep Arsenal fans on board with his vision for the club, and the move for Norgaard has left many of them scratching their heads.
The 31-year-old has been identified as a player who will add experience to Arsenal’s options. Having lost Jorginho this summer and with Thomas Partey set to leave, they need reinforcements.
The Gunners are set to sign Martin Sociedad from Real Sociedad and he is guaranteed to be a regular starter alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
Mikel Merino is another option in the engine room, but Arsenal will need another player in that department if Partey exits the club.
While Norgaard is not the type of headline-grabbing signing many Gunners fans crave, he would be a shrewd addition to the ranks for a fee of around £10 million.
The fact that Thomas Frank chose to make Norgaard captain when he was Brentford manager speaks volumes about his character.
The Denmark international would be the oldest player at Arsenal if he signs for the club and Partey leaves, but his experience could be invaluable in their pursuit of major silverware.
Norgaard is a combative midfielder who reads the game well. His progressive passing ability is underrated and would be a useful asset for the Gunners.
Most successful clubs have squads which are a mix of talents. A sprinkling of superstars backed up by several workhorses is a formula that often serves clubs well.
France international Didier Deschamps is a great example of a player whose contribution was often overlooked. Eric Cantona’s infamous ‘water-carrier’ barb undoubtedly did him a disservice.
Blackburn Rovers’ Premier League winning squad in 1994/95 was headlined by star striker Alan Shearer. However, they were far from a one-man team.
Midfielder Mark Atkins was an unheralded member of the squad, but he played an integral role for Rovers under manager Kenny Dalglish.
In fairness to Norgaard, he is nearer to Deschamps in terms of ability, but the point about the importance of hard-working players cannot be understated.
While Arsenal have numerous top-class players in their ranks, the addition of someone who will be prepared to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in could be a game-changer.
Having thrown away far too many points from winning positions last season, the Gunners need players with the know-how to see games out.
With more than 400 appearances under his belt for club and country, Norgaard brings plenty of experience to the table for Arsenal.
A £10m outlay on a player who will have little resale value in couple of years may not seem like a good idea, but it could be one of the best decisions Arteta has made at the club.
