Arsenal have announced the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford as their third signing of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have worked hard to try and transform their midfield ranks over the course of the market so far, landing some big names.
In a busy start to the month, Arsenal have signed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for a fee worth roughly £51 million.
That wasn’t the only bit of business that Andrea Berta has needed in the central areas, though.
Arsenal moved quickly to sign Norgaard from Brentford, poaching their captain on an initial two-year deal, with the option of a third.
Now his move to the Emirates Stadium is official, his squad number choice has been made, with an interesting decision on the shirt he will wear.
- READ MORE: All you need to know about Christian Norgaard including Arsenal transfer, age, statistics and more
Christian Norgaard picks the number 16 shirt at Arsenal
With Norgaard’s move to Arsenal now official, there have been some big decisions to make in regards to his place in the team.
One of the smaller details involved in that is the squad number that he can pick, with plenty of options available.
Now, following the move, Norgaard’s squad number has been confirmed as the number 16, which has been vacant since 2024.
It was last worn by Rob Holding, who took the shirt number in 2016, following his transfer from Bolton Wanderers as a promising young option.
Before him, Arsenal hero Aaron Ramsey had the number 16, picking it up in 2008 and holding onto it until 2016.
Norgaard will certainly be hoping he can have a similar impact to the Welsh midfielder, even if he is a squad option, rather than a regular starter.
The history of the number 16 shirt at Arsenal
The number 16 shirt hasn’t always had the most famous Arsenal players wear it, but it has been an important one nonetheless.
Several players in the 90s took the number 16, with Alan Miller being the first to do so as a goalkeeper.
Paul Dickov, Vince Bartram, Steve Morrow, John Hartson, Stephen Hughes and Sylvinho all took on the shirt number before the turn of the century.
- Rob Holding (16/17 – 23/24)
- Aaron Ramsey (08/09 – 15/16)
- Mathieu Flamini (04/05 – 07/08)
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst (01/02 – 03/04)
- Sylvinho (99/00 – 00/01)
- Stephen Hughes (97/98 – 98/99)
- John Hartson (94/95 – 96/97)
- Steve Morrow (94/95)
- Vince Bartram (94/95)
- Paul Dickov (93/94)
- Alan Miller(91/92)
Since then, options have been far fewer as Giovanni Bronkhorst and Mathieu Flamini picked up the shirt.
Ramsey and Holding were long-term occupants of the number 16, with Norgaard now the latest to pick it up.
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