Arsenal young gun Henri Lansbury scored the club’s first pre-season goal. What of his future at the club?
Last season was a frustrating one for Henri Lansbury, it was one he hoped to make a big breakthrough, but he ended up just standing still.
Prior to last summer he had two seasons on loan in the Championship, with Watford and then Norwich City.
Both were productive, he impressed on both of them, scoring a combined nine goals, but importantly winning the hearts of fans, both clubs would be happy to take him back.
Last season he stayed at Arsenal until deadline day, when he was sent on a season long loan to West Ham. Injury curtailed his season, and his highlight was an emergency spell in goal when Rob Green was sent off and West Ham had no substitute goalkeeper. Amazingly he kept a clean sheet.
Now what happens in pre-season of course does not count for anything, but early on Lansbury has reminded all Arsenal fans of his talent.
He has been around for such a long while that supporters may forget he is still just 21. He signed a new contract with Arsenal last September, and having been on their books since 1999 he will not walk away from the club while he feels he has a chance of success.
Time is on his side, and so is his talent. He has been a regular performer and goalscorer for England’s under-21 side, and is a former England under-19 captain.
Looking to the future, his chances will be dictated by fortune, and the faith shown in him by Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff.
His best position? An attacking central midfielder, although he has at times found himself playing out wide. He will be eyeing Tomas Rosicky’s Arsenal spot as one he will want to take.
The problem is that Rosicky had one of his best seasons to date for the Gunners last year, particularly in the second half, and will not want to be giving it up any time soon. However at 31 his injury record puts questions over his long-term role for the club. the more youthful Lansbury will hope he can do enough in pre-season to show Wenger he deserves a chance to compete.
Rosicky is nursing an injury sustained at Euro 2012, and faces a battle to be fit for the start of the season. His understudy Aaron Ramsey was more cold than hot last season and Lansbury will not feel he is too far behind the Welshman.
In fact Ramsey’s involvement for Britain at the Olympics will hand Lansbury more opportunities in pre-season, and he will need to take them.
One player Arsenal should get rid of is ‘perma-crock’ Abou Diaby, who is now in his mid-20s. Lansbury presents far more upside than he currently does.
Wenger may decide to loan Lansbury out again, but the player deserves a chance at a Premier League club. A newly promoted side or a club such as Wigan would surely take him, and this would make much more sense than sending him on loan to the Championship again.
Even if Lansbury does well at that level, which he has done before, he will return for pre-season next year having to start all over again without really having proved anything.
He needs to be tested at Premier League level, whether that be appearances here or there for Arsenal, or regularly on loan. Only then will the Gunners know if they have a player capable of replacing Tomas Rosicky, or any other of their key midfielders.
What does the future hold for Lansbury?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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