When Arsenal signed Lucas Nygaard in the summer it was anticipated that the goalkeeper could quickly be involved with the first-team squad.
That is certainly what happened, with the 18-year-old travelling with the first-team for their pre-season tour of the USA, although he didn’t play.
Nygaard appeared on track to make a positive start to his Arsenal career but he was then hit by a setback, with a broken thumb seeing him miss the start of the campaign.
It was a frustrating time for Nygaard but he is now back in action and produced a superb performance on his return as he kept a clean sheet against PSG for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Nygaard was subsequently thrown into action for the U21s but he endured some difficult moments against Tottenham and MK Dons.
Nonetheless, the Denmark youth international certainly possesses impressive reflexes, although his distribution is in need of improvement.
There is much competition for places with regards to academy goalkeepers at Arsenal this season and that will only intensify once Tommy Setford, who is third choice for the first-team, returns from injury.
Brian Okonkwo, Alexei Rojas, Jack Porter and Khari Ranson are also in contention for game time but Nygaard will be determined to establish himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the U21s and perhaps earn a competitive callup to the senior squad.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Is there any truth to the rumour that Lucas and Martin are the new faces of deodorant brand Right Guard?
I hear the tagline is going to be “There’s Norway you’re gunna sweat with this shit on” but they are also considering “No Dane, no gain.”