Navas Shines on Debut as Forest Edge Out Leeds

Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 5, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Keylor Navas in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 5, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Keylor Navas in action. (Reuters)
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Navas Shines on Debut as Forest Edge Out Leeds

Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 5, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Keylor Navas in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 5, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Keylor Navas in action. (Reuters)

Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson scored the winner but it was debutant keeper Keylor Navas they had to thank for a gritty 1-0 Premier League home victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Costa Rican, signed on loan from Paris St Germain until the end of the season, pulled off a string of superb reflex saves to deny a Leeds side who dominated possession, but could not find a way past him.

Forest took the lead against the run of play when Leeds defender Pascal Struijk fouled Johnson and he compounded the error by botching his headed clearance from the free kick, teeing up a chance for Johnson.

The Welsh forward needed no further invitation, firing a rasping volley into the net to breaking the deadlock with his side's first effort on target.

The visitors could have levelled but Luis Sinisterra somehow blasted his effort high over the bar with the goal at his mercy, and when Leeds managed to get efforts on target Navas reacted smartly to keep them out.

Despite spending much of a frenetic second half defending, Forest held on to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games. They moved up to 13th in the table on 24 points, six ahead of Leeds who are 17th.



Arsenal Sign Brentford Captain Norgaard to Strengthen Midfield

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
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Arsenal Sign Brentford Captain Norgaard to Strengthen Midfield

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Arsenal have signed Christian Norgaard from Brentford, the two Premier League clubs said on Thursday as the North London club continues to strengthen the midfield following close-season departures.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said Arsenal paid an initial fee of 10 million pounds ($13.60 million) to sign the 31-year-old Denmark international on a two-year deal with an option for a third year, Reuters reported.

"He is an international player with a wealth of experience of the Premier League. He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in a statement.

"He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility. He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance. Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch."

Norgaard is Arsenal's third recruit in the close season after they signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal have effectively replaced Jorginho and Thomas Partey after the two midfielders' contracts ran out at the end of June.

Norgaard, who spent six years at Brentford and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2021, was also the club's captain in the last two seasons.

An ever-reliable central midfielder in the Brentford squad, Norgaard has made 122 Premier League appearances in four seasons.

He will be a welcome addition to Arsenal as they compete on multiple fronts and said the opportunity to play in the Champions League was too good to resist.

"Now, I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign. It's a childhood dream and something I didn't think would be possible. So it's something I'm really, really happy about," he said.

The Dane has made more interceptions than any other player since his Premier League debut in 2021.

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign on August 17 when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.