Not exactly one of Thierry Henry’s super signings but a very highly rated defender playing for Norway’s second division FK Haugesund. Nordtveit is 16 years and was on Sir Alex’s radar before Arsenal’s 2 million pound bid was accepted by Haugesund. Arsenal’s 1.8 million pound was initially rejected.
Nordtveit will have to spend a good time in development before being considered for first squad duty. Arsenal will miss Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue for the Africa Cup of Nations in the early part of next year depleting the back four and so it would be foolish to trade Phillipe Senderos, coming into his own after his shoulder dislocation. Real Zaragoza have shown an interest in him.