‘A Star in the Making’ – Arsenal’s Havard Nordtveit

Arsene Wenger once again proved last night that he has the utmost faith in his youngsters, fielding a side with no player over the age of 22 in the clubs final Champions League group game. Despite the fact that Arsenal lost 1-0, it was a spirited display from the youngsters and Wenger will definitely take several positives from the performance. It again underlined Arsenal’s superior ability to produce young talent and the Gunners have no shortage of youngsters demanding attention. After already having looked at strikers Jay Simpson and Sanchez Watt, I decided to take a more defensive approach and thus have been focusing on a defender; Havard Nordtveit.

Nordtveit’s name will be one that many football fans and maybe even some Gunners will not be familiar with. This is because the youngster has spent much of the last few seasons on loan developing his game, but I assure you the Norwegian is another member of Arsenal’s academy who has bags of potential. Predominantly a centre back, but a versatile player capable of performing anywhere along the backline, Nordtveit began his career in his native Norway with Norwegian club Haugesund. Now 19 years of age, Nordtveit become the youngest ever player to appear for Haugesund in August 2006 when he was selected in the starting line up at just 16 years old. His performances impressed all those around him and it wasn’t long before a big European club came calling and who better for the youngster to have as a mentor than Arsene Wenger. After initial negotiations, a transfer fee of £500,000 (rising to £2 million after 40 league appearances) was agreed and Nordtveit travelled to London.

Nordtveit made his Arsenal debut in a pre season friendly against Barnet on July 14^th 2007 and before long had been made the reserve team captain, something that Nordtveit himself described as an “honour.” Nordtveit would make several appearances for the reserves before being sent out on loan the following season. After a brief spell with Spanish outfit Salamanca (Arsenal’s Spanish link club) he returned to Norway on a loan deal with Lillestrom. During his time in Norway, the youngster proved to be a first choice member of the squad and was utilised in a range of defensive positions including centre back and right back, all of which he excelled in.

After his spell in Norway, Nordtveit was once again sent out to gain experience, this time with German club Nurnberg, whom he is with until the end of the season. The youngster is currently being operated in a defensive midfield role, enhancing his versatility even further, and is likely to play a key role in the clubs bid for survival.

Nordtveit is a composed defender who plays the game with a sense of maturity and experience expected of someone much older than him. He has a great deal of potential and has a realistic possibility of featuring for the full Arsenal side at some point in the future. Nordtveit has time on his side at only 19 and the fact that he made his debut so early can only benefit the youngster. He has already featured several times for his country at youth level with former Norway coach Nils Johan Semb praising him as the brightest defensive talent in Europe. He is definitely a name to watch out for.