Christian Norgaard [David Horton/SPP]

ARSENAL look set to get one over on north London rivals Tottenham before the new campaign has even kicked off.

The two clubs are due to meet in Hong Kong at the end of July as they ramp up preparations ahead of the new season.

But now it seems they could lock horns even sooner after it emerged this week that both camps are reportedly interested in Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard.

New Spurs’ boss Thomas Frank managed the midfielder at Brondby before signing him for the Bees in 2019, where Norgaard went on to earn the captain’s armband.

And now it appears that Arsenal want to sign the 31-year-old, too – although rumours suggest their opening bid in the region of £9m has been rebuffed, with Brentford holding out for £12m.

The Gunners want to add reinforcements in midfield with Thomas Partey heavily tipped to follow Jorginho out of the Emirates exit.

Mikel Arteta has spoken of his hope that Partey would extend his current deal, which expires at the start of July.

“I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season,” said the Arsenal boss, adding: “The way he’s played, performed, [and] his availability – he has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.”

But with Barcelona thought to be among the clubs sniffing around Partey in the hope of landing the player on a free, it only makes sense that the Gunners should explore other options.

And Norgaard, who scored five goals and registered four assists in 34 league games last season, is now said to be at the top of Arteta’s wishlist.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are finally set to fire up their summer spending.

The deal for Martin Zubimendi is done and dusted, with the Gunners expected to unveil the signing imminently after agreeing a fee north of £55m for the Real Sociedad midfielder.

Arteta is also ready to welcome goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into his first-team squad as competition for David Raya after triggering the Chelsea player’s cut-price £5m release clause.

The league’s fast-becoming bridesmaids need to bring in at least six new players as Arteta looks to win the title following three successive seasons as runners-up.

The missing piece of the puzzle is a prolific goal-getter, but with any deal for either long-term target Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres becoming increasingly more and more complicated, it seems that Arsenal’s striker search could be just beginning.