Arsène Wenger has hailed Havard Nordtveit as one of the most mature young players he has ever seen.Arsenal beat a number of clubs to land the 17-year-old centre back from Norwegian side Haugesund in July. The Under-19 international has impressed in both his Reserve League appearances so far and, significantly, has been handed the captain’s armband.
Wenger is aware that Nordtveit is not the ‘finished article’ but in certain areas he is well ahead of schedule.
“What I liked in this boy is his intelligence and his mental strength,” said the manager earlier this season. “He is very mature. In fact I have rarely seen a boy of his age so mature.
“Physically we need to get him up to the Premiership level, at the moment he is a bit behind. But technically and tactically he is already there. He is an intelligent boy with good vision. He has a good pass out from the back and he is strong too.
“I hope that he can develop well.”