In a brisk, three sentence article, The Sun recently ran with a story claiming that Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury is in line for a move to Norwich City, the club at which he spent last season on loan. Whether there’s any truth to the story remains to be seen, but it’s my personal hope, having monitored Lansbury’s progress during his time with the Gunners, that Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal brass battle to keep hold of his services.
The article has come at a strange time. I thought that this could well be the season that Lansbury made a push for a first team place: especially when it comes to the Carling Cup and early rounds in the FA Cup. Then again, I also expected Lansbury to be given a chance to prove his worth during Arsenal’s pre-season, but rumours suggest he’s not a part of the Gunner’s Asian tour, but has been offered rest time following the Under-21 European Championships.
I’m not too sure how much playing time he’ll be offered during the Emirates Cup and other friendlies as Arsenal’s big guns will all be back in action by then.
Lansbury is at an important stage in his career. He’s 20 now and faces a tough decision: should he stay and fight it out for a first team position at Arsenal, or move to a smaller club like Norwich City who are likely to offer more in the way of playing time.
It strikes me, however, that The Sun have seriously undervalued Lansbury. They’ve placed a £2m valuation on his head, but given his talent at a young age and the inflated price of British players, he’s got to be worth at least double that. With a £4m price-tag, Lansbury may not be so appealing to Norwich City.
As such, I can’t help but feel the best option for everybody involved is a loan move, potentially back to Norwich City. Arsenal get to keep hold of a talented player and one who might really make something of himself in the future, Lansbury gets some game time under their belt, and City get a player who may well aid them with Premier League survival next season.
Whilst this may seem somewhat speculative at the moment, wouldn’t a loan move for Lansbury be the best possible option, regardless of any potential interest from Norwich?
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Total agree we have to keep Lansbury – imo he better than Denilson, Vela and Diaby – Wenger should give him his chance now like he did with Jack. If he has to go out on loan i don’t mind that – infact he should be used in the deal (loan) that bring Cahill or Samba to the Emirates or even loan him back to Norwich for the season.
Lansbury should be kept at Arsenal. Besides CC & FA Cup there will be injuries to the first 11.
He looked good at Norwich & the times he came on for England as substitute in the recent U-21 games he made an immediate impact.
Young, English, strong, skillful & Arsenal DNA.
Had this article been published a couple of months ago it might have had some credibility. Lambert said he wanted 7 new players, we’ve signed 6 and the 7th will be a defender. We have more midfielders than you can shake a stick at. Looks like The Sun putting 2 and 2 together and getting five. Unlike them…
Yep, without any doubt Lansbury is one for the future and should be kept. I think he could break into the first team, if not now then next season for sure.
I think Lansbury is a fantastic talent that we (Arsenal) should do everything to keep.
He’s young, English, has a huge engine and some serious quality as well to play through balls and also to score (e.g. Spurs away in CC).
The biggest compliment I could pay him is that he plays like a United player. He gives 100%, he tracks back and he also always makes himself available in the box.
I’m a big fan and think he outshone Henderson at U21s.