FC Nordsjaelland U-19 manager Sune Laerkedahl Jensen has exclusively told Arsenal Insider what to expect from new academy signing Lucas Nygaard.
The Gunners last week confirmed the arrival of Danish youth international Nygaard, who on his 18th birthday signed a professional contract with Arsenal as the north London side kicked off their summer recruitment drive at Hale End.
With Nygaard outlining that he chose Arsenal because of the club’s playing style, Mikel Arteta has potentially landed on a future goalkeeping superstar in the Scandinavian teenager, who could well feature for the first-team this summer in pre-season.
And Nygaard’s former coach at Nordsjaelland has now shared what Arsenal fans can expect from the shot-stopper.
Nygaard brings ‘strong winner mentality’ to Arsenal’s youth ranks
Speaking to Jensen, the Danish coach revealed Nygaard’s ‘strong winner’ mentality and attitude to always stick up for his team, with the Nordsjaelland coach working alongside the goalkeeper since 2022.
Jensen said: “Lucas has a strong winner mentality. He will set high demands for his teammates and himself. He is strong with reactions on the line and his distribution with his feet is world-class for his age.
“The fans will see him as a winner with attitude and the teammates will get a top-class guy that will always stick up for the team.”
READ MORE: Arsenal 24/25 confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits and releases
Indeed, mentality has been a huge part of Arteta’s rebuild at Arsenal, with the former Manchester City coach emphasising how a strong head can lead to big results on the pitch, a philosophy that has worked wonders in recent seasons.
And Nygaard comes across as a talent who ticks these boxes already, a huge boost for Arsenal and their future plans for the Danish youth international, who comes to north London highly rated by his former coach.
When asked which goalkeeper Nygaard is most similar to, Jensen had an answer that will excite Arsenal fans on the sort of talent Hale End now has on their books: “He is stylistically similar to Kasper Schmeichel.”
Nygaard has everything needed ahead of him to succeed at Arsenal
Arsenal’s history of developing goalkeepers has gone under the radar in recent years, from Wojciech Szczesny to Emi Martinez to now Arthur Okonkwo, the production line of shot-stoppers from Hale End has been quietly impressive.
And Nygaard could become the next superstar out of Arsenal’s academy if his development hits all the right beats in the years to come, with the Danish youngster arriving in north London with a big reputation and a fantastic review from his former manager.
Next season for Nygaard will all be about adjusting to the English game and getting minutes in Premier League 2 with Arsenal’s U-21s, yet at 18, the sky is the limit for the Danish youngster with the Gunners.
