"He's available": Arteta confirms "exceptional" Arsenal star is ready to face Slavia Prague

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on midfielder Christian Norgaard ahead of the Champions League clash against Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners take on the Czech champions at the Fortuna Arena tomorrow. Ahead of the game, the club will be without a couple of big players due to different reasons.

Viktor Gyokeres sustained a muscle injury against Burnley and has yet to recover. Zubimendi overcame his injury issue, but he is serving a one-game European suspension.

In Zubimendi’s absence, Christian Norgaard looks primed to start as the holding midfielder.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta described the Dane as ‘exceptional’.

The Spaniard added that Norgaard has got up to speed after an early season injury, and he is available for tomorrow.

Arteta told Arsenal.com: “Exceptional. I knew very clearly the role that he was going to have, exactly what he is doing.

“I think he was in a really good moment before he got injured and it took him a while, again, as is normal, to get up to speed and now he’s having some more minutes and he’s available for tomorrow.”

Norgaard signed for the Gunners from Brentford in a £15 million deal last summer. He has since made just two starts, which have both come in the Carabao Cup.

The 31-year-old has made two substitute appearances apiece in the Premier League and Champions League this term, and could finally start in Europe against Slavia.

The Dane looks set for his full Champions League debut in midfield alongside Declan Rice as Mikel Merino’s services could be required upfront with Gyokeres sidelined.

Merino came on as a makeshift striker during the second half against Burnley. The Spaniard is most likely to start in the number nine role to provide a physical presence.

The former Real Sociedad man bagged six goals and three assists as a striker during the backend of last season. He has another chance to make a goal contribution playing upfront.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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