Norweigan super agent Jim Solbakken has flown into North London this morning, ahead of talks with Arsenal over a new contract for defender Håvard Nordtveit. The 19-year-old has 12 months left on his current deal.

Nordtveit has started both of Arsenal’s pre-season games so far this summer and has shown vast improvements in both. He completed the 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Sturm Graz in Austria last night, and was arguably the best player on the pitch. Several immaculate tackles and some good work going forward has put Howie in contention for a first-team place for the coming season.

Gazidis is now poised to offer Håvard a new three-year-contract on increased wages. He joined the Gunners from Haugesund in 2007 and has since spent the last 14 months away from the club with loan spells at UD Salamanca, Lillestrøm and Nuremberg.

Negotiations are expected to be completed before the start of the new season.