Henri Lansbury has had a somewhat nomadic existence during his time as an Arsenal player. The dynamic midfielder recently signed a contract extension with the North London club, despite the fact that he is once more spending the year on loan. In fact, this is the fourth season in a row that he has left the Gunners to play for another team.
Last year he played a key role in helping Norwich City climb back into the Premier League. This year he’s at West Ham, where he has impressed thus far, scoring and picking up a Man of the Match award during the Hammer’s 4-3 win over Portsmouth. His performance was a sign that he’s going to be an important player for West Ham this season and pick up lots of valuable experience.
He’s been at Arsenal since 9-years-old and I’d really like to see him fulfil his potential at the club. Speaking about his move to West Ham and his future, however, Lansbury has said:
“[Wenger] talks how he rates me but obviously he’s not playing me. I need to be playing and West Ham gave me a chance so I wanted to take it. My priority has been to play in the Arsenal first team since I’ve been a youngster. But if I have to go then I must.”
It’s clear that although he would like to make it as an Arsenal player, he values his career more and if it serves his purpose to move on then he will do exactly that. His attitude is sensible, but shouldn’t Arsenal be doing more to make sure that they keep hold of this young English talent?
The jury still seems to be out on whether Lansbury has the quality to make it at Arsenal. I’m not too sure why. Whenever I’ve seen him play he’s looked effective and purposeful and just the kind of player that Arsenal have been missing over the last couple of seasons. He’s been at the club since he was a young boy so he’ll be well versed in ‘the Arsenal way’ despite having more physicality and presence than most that currently ply their trade at the club.
He has excellent technical ability, good build and a good engine that sees him move from box-to-box with pace.
Those who have written him off at this early stage have been somewhat hasty. He was good at Norwich City last season and looks to have improved already at West Ham. What more do Arsenal fans want to hear? He can only keep performing when opportunities are given to him.
What is clear is that he’s a passionate young lad who can provide Arsenal with a combative edge. Can the same be said for the likes of Abou Diaby and Denilson? Surely Arsenal should be doing more to make him feel more wanted?
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He is too manly for the sort of weaklings Wenger likes!
Henri has just signed an extension to his contract so he clearly has a future at the club if he continues to progress. Arsenal is in his heart and I’m sure he will give his all this year to impress and come back to fight and win a place in the team.
This season there are a number of new players who need to be gradually integrated into the first team set up and I feel in a year’s time his opportunity will come.
Playing for England under 21’s he far outshone Liverpool’s overpriced signing Jordan Henderson.
Diaby has been playing well the past two years.
Anyway, Lansbury has signed a new contract since making those comments. Thankfully it looks like he will get a chance at some point over the next year or two. Think he will be great for west ham this year, and maybe for us next year.
maybe he should pull off for a change