GUNNERS reserve boss Neil Banfield has praised youngster's Rhys Murphy and Havard Nordtveit for their performances in the win over Portsmouth last night, writes James Randall .

Arsenal Reserves - who completed a 2-0l victory at Westleigh Park - featured numerous youth team players, including new signing Nordveit.

Banfield told the clubs official website:"It is difficult for a young lad to come in from a foreign country and settle in. It can take six maybe seven months to adapt to a different culture and a different style of playing the game and a new tempo. Havard has done really well at that."

Nordtviet signed for the north London club in July 2007 for and undisclosed fee, but has suffered a spell on the sidelines due to a leg complaint.

The defender has had praised heaped upon him by club boss Arsene Wenger in September.

He said: "Technically and tactically he is already there. He is very mature, in fact I have rarely seen a boy of his age so mature."

Striker Murphy also appeared for the Gunners and was praised by boss Banfield.

He said: "Rhys has been out for a while and is doing a great job of working himself back into the team. He has got a goal but I was really pleased with his overall performance tonight."

The 17-year-old striker joined the club from Wimbeldon as a youngster and is said to be an instinctive finisher.