Havard Nordtveit... spending season on loan at Salamanca
Nordtveit goes south with 'eyes on future'
By Matt Fortune and Richard Clarke
Havard Nordtveit already claimed he had his "eyes on the future" before his loan deal to Salamanca was announced on Monday.
The 18-year-old centre back had a mixed first year at Arsenal after signing from Haugesund 12 months ago. He was made captain for his first Reserve game, scored in his third and ended the season on the bench for the first-team. However, in between that he suffered a troublesome knee injury.
Of course, the path to the Spanish second division side has been trodden before. Carlos Vela spent some time there before spells at Celta Vigo and Osasuna. Now the Mexican striker is in the first-team fold and pushing for a start. Now Nordtveit will be looking to emulate that.
Before his move to Salamanca was announced, he looked back on his first 12 months in North London.
“My first season was very good for me,” said the Norwegian Under-19 international. “I settled down much better than I expected, although I was unlucky with an injury – but you can never predict these things.
“As a footballer I have become much bigger, my passing has improved and I have learned the value of the training ground. But the most important [thing] is that I settled down off the pitch.
“I have done that and made friends with the players. I have had a very good year and now I have my eyes on the future.
“I will take whatever opportunity I can,” Nordtveit concluded, perhaps hinting at the move to come. “I have worked well with Neil Banfield but if I am chosen for anything else I will do my best for the boss Arsène Wenger.”
Everyone at Arsenal FC wishes Harvard the best of luck in Spain.
[Tuesday, August 19, 2008]
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