Arsenal could yet have one of their most successful seasons in the club's entire history this year with two major titles very much within their reach.
The Gunners have competed superbly on multiple fronts, making it to the UEFA Champions League Final for the first time in 20 years, whilst sitting pretty in pole position to clinch the Premier League title.
Arsenal's title credentials have been attributed to several factors this term, not least the strength in depth Mikel Arteta's squad now possesses.
Arsenal midfielder makes retirement call
The head coach has been able to rotate his lineup in different competitions, affording key players rest at critical junctures of the season.
One such player who arrived last summer, bolstering Arteta's midfield is Christian Norgaard. The Danish international signed from Brentford and while he has not been a regular starter, has deputised on occasion during what promises to be a memorable campaign for the Gunners - and Norgaard from an individual perspective.
Ahead of this summer, the Dane - who has another 12 months to run on his Arsenal deal with the option to extend by a further year - has announced his retirement from international football in a post on his official social media channels.
"I have decided to quit for the national team," Norgaard wrote. "On the one hand, it has been a difficult decision, because there's practically nothing I love more than checking in with teammates and staff at Marienlyst. And there's practically nothing I love more than playing games in red and white in a sold-out, buzzing with anticipation Parken.
"At the same time I have felt a lot of confidence from Brian Riemer, and a personal highlight for me was the victory over Portugal in 2025 on exactly one of the magical evenings in Parken - there I took the leadership role in midfield, which I love to play out in.
"On the other hand, it has been an easy decision because I would like to have more time with my family, and with the missed World Cup qualification it also feels natural now to make room for the [new] talents fortunately Denmark is still rich in.
"It was Åge Hareide who was the first to select me for the [senior] national team, but even though he never gave me playing time, I experienced how he created room for cultural bearers like Simon [Kjaer], [Kasper] Schmeichel, Christian [Eriksen] and [Thomas] Delaney to develop the unity, which the team in my belief lives on today.
"My official debut took place in 2020, Kasper Hjulmand was the coach, and under him we played the best football and created the biggest results in my time with the team - and maybe more recently in the history of the Danish national team. Summer 2021 will always stand as the most beautiful chapter in my football career.
"Now it's finished. I'm looking forward to backing up as a fan, but no longer as a part of the squad. Thank you players, staff and fans for helping make a boy's dream come true."
Forty-one cap Norgaard's decision does not appear Arsenal-related, however, at his age, lessening the number of matches he plays in a calendar year is likely to aid his longevity at the top.
Denmark did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Norgaard has made 19 appearances across all competititons for the Gunners this season.
