Arsenal defender Håvard Nordtveit admits he is willing to bide his time whilst on loan with Spanish side UDSalamanca, with the Norwegian youngster keen to learn from the other centre backs around him, before challenging them for a place in the team.
Nordtveit joined Salamanca in early August but has so far failed to gain a regular place in the side, although he has travelled with the team for both League games so far this season. He was named among the subs’ against Deportivo Alavés on match day one, but had to wait until last weeks fixture at Sevilla Atlético to make his debut – where he featured in the final 2 minutes.
However, despite the lack of competitive football, Howie is taking all he can from the training sessions, analysing all the qualities his new team mates have.
“I am doing everything I can to play. The coach knows what i can do, but there is a lot of competition in the centre of defence. It’s been great experience for me to learn from the other defenders here, as they all possess different talents.”
The 18-year-old is already fluent in both Norwegian and English, and he is already making movements to learn Spanish, with parts of the interview being conducted in a mixture of all three. Learning a new language is key to acclimatizing to a new country, something he is already aware of.
“Everything is going as I expected, but when you are a new player in a team, you have to wait for your chance. I think I will need a couple of months to acclimatize to the Spanish League, but I am patient, because it’s not easy.”
Adapting to a brand new division is difficult for any footballer, and the mature and intelligent youngster has already picked out the key differences between England and Spain.
“The English League is very very physical. Here in Spain it is more about your first touch, technical elements, and you have more time to use the ball. And I know I have to adapt to that, but I have to wait. I know I must be more aggressive with my game, but it’s all about learning, and that’s why I am here at Salamanca.”
“The only differences between Arsenal and Salamanca is the size of the club, but in terms of football, they are very similar.”
You could excuse Håvard for worrying or being inpatient over his future, instead he is focusing on working an opening in the team and remained open to spending another campaign with the Union.
“We’ll see what happens, i have only just arrived! and it’s too early to tell. I am here to at least Christmas where we’ll see if we can decide something more for the future. I am not thinking about what will happen if I don’t play, I must take my chances if they come, and give my everything.”
“At the moment i cannot say anything bad against the Club, i am trying everything out. The Club is very good and I would love to spend more time out in Salamanca.”
Arsène Wenger and Neil Banfield like to make regular checks on the players out on Loan, but so far he has had no contact with the manager since completing his switch, however, Steve Rowley has called him to offer advice.
“No, I have not spoken with Mr Wenger since being here, but I have with Mr Rowley. He told me I must be very patient and eventually everything I want will come. He said I must do everything calmly and do all I can during training to convince the coach.”
UDS are keen to add to their squad during the January transfer window – with already several Arsenal Reserve team players being targeted. As yet Nordtveit has heared nothing about more players coming from London, indeed he would welcome more players coming in, offering a simple message to anybody considering a transfer.
“No!, Haha!, but if I had a message for them, I would say definitely come.”
Salamanca return to action this Sunday against Xerez, Howie will be hoping the chance he has been patiently waiting for will finally arrive.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I’ve written this before and I’ll say it again. There’s no point in sending out our kids unless they are guaranteed to play.
Nordveidt could learn a lot more PLAYING in the reserves than he can sitting on the bnech at Salaamanca.
Some of our loan deals don’t seem to have been very well thought out. For instance, why send Nordveidt to a club that is deep in central defenders. Somehow that doesn’t make sense.
These kids need GAMES to grow into their roles.
California Steve, if you are too good for the reserves you could become disillusioned by continuing at that level and learning nothing new. At least being part of a first team squad somewhere else will give him a new challenge ,help keep his morale up and motivate him to improve.
Steve i very much disagree. Even being in a first team enviroment is fantastic for the boys, the Reserves is a very low level of professionalism, whereas at Salamanca he is in a serious club.
Travelling to games and being in team meetings all adds to his learning experience. It’s not all about playing games.
Geez, he is only the second game into the season, its just about being patient. UDS obviously arent that strong with defenders otherwise he wouldnt have gone on loan and got a brief appearance in the second game, ‘Howie’ is too good for reserves and the ‘Spanish’ football lessons will do wonders for his development as opposed to facing same old reserves, who dont put Arsenal under constant pressure. All he needs is his chance, obviously the coach doesnt want to just throw him in
Frichie – Spot On. :D
So J, have we got the option to recall him in January?
Howie is 18. He needs to be patient and seems like a mature guy. Defenders peak late so he has lots of improving to do but can be brilliant. I agree the environment is good for him, the culture, competition for Centre Back as is the intensity of being fit every week to get yourself ready to play.
Can’t see this young chap making it in the English league.Not dominant enough in the air and makes to many daft mistakes,Nowhere near as good as Senderos or Djourou at the same age.With Wenger sending him to the lower league’s in spain it doesn’t look good for him.
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYED WOULD YOU COMPARE NORDTVEIT TO??….OR GOING TO BE TOUTED AS??
IS HE LIKE DANIEL AGGER ( TALL & SKINNY ) ???
IVE NEVER SEEN HIM PLAY SO IM INTERESTED…
Phader – Stuart Robson on Arsenal TV says he reminds him of Ronald Koeman. Stuart Robson usually talks a lot of sense.
Have you heard anything about this J?
http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/latestsport/Exclusive-Warnock-Portuguese-ace/article-320665-detail/article.html
ronald koeman….
hmmm ok
and also i heard of sky sports news, that arsenal are interested in signing minerio – who is currently a free agent after being realsed by herta berlin
ermmm hes 33 years old….and from what ive seen HE’S SH*T
Soo i HOPE thats just speculationnnn
Yeah, we can have him back in January, the situation will be looked at in the new year.
The Daddy – That’s the poorest view ever, you have clearly not watched him on a regular basis.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-rules-out-move-for-midfielder-appiah
we are not gettin appiah
Yep, I hate to say ‘I told you so’, but… I did tell you so :).
before this who knows about salamanca…they had use loan power to established their club hahah…good strategy..
Wrong again young Sanderson I actully go to most Reserve games at Barnet,Far enough he was injured for a lot of last year,But he wasd very poor when he played.To Phader he would be quite similar to Sean st. Ledger at Preston north end.