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 captains 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.