When the summer transfer window opens next month, close to the top of Arsène Wenger’s list would be a new centre back if most fans get their way.
However if most fans look at which quality’s they would like in a new defender, most of those things can be found in Reserves captain Håvard Nordtveit. The 17 year old signed last summer from Norwegian minnows FK Haugesund, has had a fantastic season despite a three month injury lay off earlier this term.
Many has been impressed with his leadership, positive attitude as well as footballing talents. Håvard may not be the quickest, but his Ariel prowess and amazing ability to read the play, and react accordingly have led to calls Nordtveit should feature for the first team in the final few Premiership fixtures.
One talent that former greats Steve Bould, Tony Adams and other traditionaldefenders possessed was a superb passing range. Willing to pick out 50-60 yard passes to the forwards, it may not be the “Arsenal Way” but it has had positive results this season, for the Reserves and its something that the first have implemented on occasions.
At 17 he is not the finished product, and Reserves coach Neil Banfield admits his passing is great, but it needs to be varied and disguised for maximum effect.
“Havard has a very good range of passing although sometimes it can get a bit predictable and I think at the top level people might read it, but he will learn to disguise it. He is a good footballer and his defending is getting better.
Having trained with the first team on various occasions, it seems just natural he will feature in the Carling Cup side next season. I personally feel that Nordtveit could be the perfect defender we have missed, his commanding frame and precision tackling mean its difficult to pick faults in his game.
Håvard also feels he could become the “perfect” centre back for Arsenal, but also admits he wants to continue his development:
“Of course I want to be that player, It is up to me to show them what I have.”
“My first season has been very good. It was not so happy in the start with my injury but I am pleased to be back regularly in the Reserves, and to be captain.“I need to see everything and learn what I can. They tell me to be patient, not to rush it, do the right things every single time and stay focused on what we do.
“I have definitely improved because the pace of the football here is much quicker than in Norway. I have become more of a team player, my passing is getting better and I am becoming more professional all over the pitch and off it. I have improved in almost everything.”
Quotes From Arsenal.com
He will miss the final Reserves game of the season, away at Villa Park against Aston Villa, as his talents have now gone International. Nordtveit will turn out for Norway Under 19’s next week continuing his rise, which has seen him become a regular fixture for his country at youth level.
Pre-season beckons and he will be sure to feature in a few of the matches, and the young man will hope to do enough to convince Arsène Wenger, he can be the old fashioned Defender we have missed.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Lets hope he will be the answer, but 17 is very young yet for a defender, maybe a season or 6 months on loan would do him good, although that hasn’t helped Djourou.
Wenger said great things about Senderos too – he’s utterly clueless and mentally weak. Wenger needs to learn from his mistakes fast. He’s great at turning young players into stars, but not at the back. He needs experienced quality there, the likes of Upson, Stepanovs, Djourou, Senderos etc. do not fill me with optimism.
“One talent that former greats Steve Bould and Tony Adams possessed was a superb passing range. Willing to pick out 50-60 yard passes to the forwards..”
Must have missed that game!
I am desperate to see some presence and stature and presence in arsenal.
HEY J.S. HOW TALL IS HARVARD NORDVEIT?
And why the hell arent I hearing nothing about kyle bartley?
J.S. Do you realistically think Kyle will make it to be a first team Arsenal player?REALISTICALLY???
MJL, “that game” Was the one where we beat Everton on the final day of the season 97/98 I believe, Bould pinging a 60yard ball over there defence to the on rushing Adams. The ball was that good the defence got beaten to the ball by Adams and his electric Senderos-esq pace. There were other games but that’s the best example of their passing ability I can think of.
Havard is 185cm tall.
And Kyle broke his ankle at the start of the season, he recovered but has been called away on international duty alot and was suspended for 3 games for a red card.
he has played the last 3 Under 18s fixtures though.
Isen’t havard allready taller than Toure and Gallas? and that height your suggesting is from about 1 year ago, and his injury is a result of rapid growing, so I would guess he is bigger by now?
completely off topic – but its Rui Fonte’s birthday today… (according to facebook
cheers good article
I’ve heard that Nordtveit is taller now, he exceeded his father a couple of months ago, and he’s like 188 or something.
He said he grew a lot when he was injured.
He’s an exciting lad though :D
According to Wikipedia he is 188 cm (6’2). I don’t know the source for it but I sure hope he will end up taller than 6’1″.
If Wenger is gonna use Nordveit next season at all, he should play him against Derby. That game is won beforehand and I hope that we see some reserve players there. Fabianski, Traore, Nordveit and Barazite would all be nice to see.
Wikipedia says Barazite is 194cm.
so its not that trusted. and yes Rui is 18 today.
barazite is huge though.. and its true that nordtveit has exceeded his father…
His he actually that type of player? Seems like Rio Ferdinand to me. I would be happy with that but I would prefer a Vidic type player.
He is more like Vidic.
He is rugged and strong, not really quick, but fairly, and a superb tackler, and reads the play well.
Would be great if he could make it into the first team eventually. Would love it if at least some of our young ones would make the first team in the future. :)
Also, can’t deny that I would love to see a new Tony Adams come from the youth-ranks and into the first team in the future. :)
Steven is absolutely right. Nordtveit is a young player with a lot of promise but he is a long way from being ready for the first team. He is still quite lightweight and that is a problem for central defenders. He would be flattened by many of the Premiership forwards. I have watched him play quite a bit for the reserves and he makes quite a lot of mistakes, which I am sure just comes from lack of experience, but he is not yet ready for the top level. Give him time.
According to wenger himself all he needs is phsycian strength?
And he isent’ that slow actually.. abit slow with the ball, but faster than the likes of Vidic and Senderos! and while beeing a strong tackler etc, he is also the playing type of defender who would rather keep posession after winning the ball
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