Lansbury wonder goal for Under 21’s vs Belgium
Signing for Arsenal at the tender age of 9, central midfielder Henri Lansbury came up through the ranks until he eventually signed a professional contract in 1 July 2008. After a successful loan spell at Scunthorpe United in League One (which included 4 goals and 5 assists in 16 appearances), Lansbury featured in Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup winning team (6-2 over Liverpool, Lansbury 2 assists).
Further Loan deals have included:
- 2009/2010 Watford (English Championship) – 37 appearances (3 of those as a sub)- 5 goals, 4 assists
- 2010/2011 Norwich City (English Championship) – 23 appearances (8 of those as a sub) – 4 goals, 4 assists (missed out on the 2010/2011 Football League Championship Young Player of the Year award when he was beaten by Connor Wickenham).
- 2011/2012 West Ham United (English Championship) – 23 appearances (10 of those as a sub) – 1 goal, 4 assists (including a game where he spent time as the goalkeeper after Green was red carded. He managed to shut out the rest of the game).
In between then he has made 6 sub appearances and one start for Arsenal. But what a start it was! A 120 minute game in the 1-4 victory against our bitter rivals Tottenham in the third round of the Carling Cup. Lansbury lined up on the right wing scoring the first goal of the match with a lovely tap in after some great anticipation.
For those who don’t remember here is the video:
He later described the moment as “like a dream.” It was the sort of midfield tap in goal that we haven’t seen since the likes of Flamini, and it was great to see a midfielder get into that position.
After the match Arsene had this to say:
“Henri Lansbury is a type of player who I rate because of his qualities, but as well his mental strength, the timing of his runs. He gives you qualities that are very difficult to find in the modern game. He goes always behind [the defence] and he has the timing to get in the box and scores goals from midfield. He is showing that again the other night when you see the cross coming in, who is on the move? It’s Henri. I like his attitude, his spirit, his mental strength and of course his qualities. He has not played for a while; he played with cramps until the last minute [against Spurs] and has a fantastic team attitude. I rate him and I like him.”
Other comments Arsene has said in regards to Lansbury include:
- “Henri Lansbury is in a situation where I believe he will make a career,” said the manager. “At the moment it is a bit congested for him but I believe he has the talent to play for Arsenal Football Club.
“I have to give him a chance at some stage and as quickly as possible. I believe in him. But if I honestly believe he will not play this season or has no chance to compete for a position I will tell him and let him go.”
- “For me, Lansbury will be an Arsenal player,” said Wenger. “He is doing extremely well [on loan].”
Arsene clearly believes in Lansbury and Lansbury is willing to do what it takes to get into this Arsenal team. After the Tottenham game he said:
“Obviously I’m pushing for a place every week, that’s why I want to be in the first team. I’ve just got to keep working hard in training and hopefully I’ll get my chance.
“It was good to get on the score sheet and it was a great performance from our team.
“Coming into a London derby is a great experience. Seeing the tempo of how the first team play – I just want to get involved in that.
“To come here and win is always a great time for the fans. We put on a show tonight for them.”
The talent is there (regular in England’s Under-21 team including a brace recently against Belgium), the will and passion is evident, but will Lansbury get his chance to prove himself? Wilshere got his chance and he grabbed it, Ramsey is getting his chance now (just how well he’s done depends on who you ask. But that debate has talked about too much for some people to bear), and Diaby is struggling fitness wise with only 25 appearances (8 of those as a sub) in all competitions over the last two seasons.
The 2009 FA Youth Cup winning team was as follows:
Starting:
Shea (young keeper working his way up)
Eastmond (loan – Wycombe Wanderers)
Bartley (loan – Rangers)
Ayling (realesed)
Cruise (released)
Lansbury (loan – WHU)
Wilshere (injured, but very much a first teamer)
JET (sold – Ipswich Town)
Coquelin (come into the picture this season and bidding his time)
Watt (loan – Crawley)
Sunu (sold – Lorient)
Subs:
Murphy (loan – Preston North End)
Mann (sold – Crystal Palace)
Henderson (back after a long injury lay off)
Ozyakup (exciting prospect)
Evina (released)
Which way will Henri Lansbury go? Will he leave like others have from that team? Or will he take the next step and become a regular Arsenal player? After his loan spell we shall see! Personally i hope he is given his chance in the pre-season games and as a starter in cup matches. I love how Lansbury goes about it, he is a fighter with Parlour like attributes. I would rather Lansbury take Diaby’s squad position until he gets his fitness back on track. Having another Arsenal fan in the squad like Jenkinson would be great to see, they give you something extra, a passion that is unrivalled. Hopefully he can carry his Arsenal dream further, and we can help support him along the way.
Written by oz gunner
Arsenal News 24/7
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[…] Will Henri Lansbury get his turn? […]
Oz thanks, a terrific post about the forgotten youngster, I worry that he is not an Allardyce type player and do Sam will try and adapt him. It’s a shame he has only ever managed to secure Championship loans as it would be good to see him up against other PL teams.
Hopefully as you say there will be room to accommodate him this coming season otherwise I think he will be going out again and that will be his Arsenal dreams over.
I would hope with Bould now Assistant Manager some of those youngsters he coached to Youth Cup success will be encouraged through but also given a few home truths about what is necessary for them to do in order to make it at Arsenal, that includes Watt, Afobe and Eastmond. They need to apply themselves on the pitch and forget the celebrity trappings.
I like Lansbury but i think he just falls short of the quality needed to flourish at the Arsenal
Hi Oz, thanks for a great, well-researched and written post. 🙂
You have brought Henri back from the deep for us. I cannot decide what Arsenal should do with him/ would be the best for him. With Coquelin, Ramsey, Wilshere, Frimpong we have four very promising youngsters in our midfield, and then there is Ozyakop who seems to be a very, very promising midfielder for us as well. It looks like Arsene is looking to add a bit of steal/experience to the midfield this summer from outside. So how would Lansbury fit in?
I think I am with you that Arsene should give him a chance next season. He seems to have the willpower and tenacity to make it all the way, and there is plenty of talent.
written by Oz Gunner!!! Well, well, well, I’d better sit down and read it
Robbin – Peaches asked me to schlepp to the Ems and watch it on the big screen. Not sure I’m brave enough. It would be fab if we won, but what if….I need my duvet to hide under?
Interesting Post;
Saw Lansbury in pre-season at Dover last summer, after he had spent time with the First team squad.
Scored a great goal and had an excellent match, but off he went, to West Ham for the season…
Henri is 22 this October, and whilst i really like him as a player, i’m not sure that Wenger is convinced about him, and at that age he has to play…
I’d like to see him given a chance, but if Arsene recruits a new midfielder in the Summer Window and considering the competition for places, i kinda feel that his future, sadly, lays elsewhere…
Hope i’m wrong!
He;s not good enough for Arsenal
And I say that as a West Ham season ticket holder
He doesn’t get into our side most of the time so I’m certain he’s not goingt o get in yours
He’s a decent enough player, but not Arsenal standard for me
Well written piece, thank you Oz! You have done your research well, following Henri around the country. Why was he moved so many times?
I don’t know enough about him to say he’s going to be good/not good for Arsenal. I like him, a Londoner, good attributes (22, 6’+, fast), but I’ll leave the final decision to AW, he knows best.
Do we need another midfielder?
Morning/Evening, Oz. 🙂
A very nice Post, well written and concerning a player I find is something of an enigma.
I have already previously mentioned on AA, my predilection for going to watch the Youth and Reserve teams, when possible, until I stopped going in about 2009, and spotted players I thought had a good chance to make it; might make it; or would never make it.
a) — Jack, Le Coq, Frimpong, Jet, Lansbury, Randall and Bartley were my pick of the crop as having ‘a good chance to make it’.
b) — Barazite, Murphy, Ayling and Henderson as having ‘ possible chance to make it’.
c) — Eastman, Cruise, Shea and Watt [and many others] as having ‘no chance to make it’.
Let’s cut to the chase re young Henri Lansbury.
He looked to be an exceptional player with fantastic skills who lead the teams by example, and stood head and shoulders above most of the others, and together with his long, blonde hair had the Adonis ‘star quality’ look about him too. [Where has it all gone, Samson?] 🙂
However, we cannot discuss Henri Lansbury without a passing mention for Mark Randall, a similar type of player, also with exceptional silky skills who I thought had everything going for him too, including a skinny but athletic 6′ foot physique just made for the Premiership.
Unfortunately, the pair of them were not good for each other!
Their natural skills came so easily that I thought they gradually became a tad arrogant and lazy in their play. They both seemed to want to try and ‘out showboat’ each other and forgot why they and their teammates were there.
Henri suddenly developed a horrible disease which laid him low for about a year. Without him in the team, Randall despite his breathtaking skills seemed to lose his way, and just became even cockier, seemingly thinking he was destined to be the next one into the first team.
Sadly what eventually happened to him is a lesson for all aspiring footballers, even those with wonderful skills, but the wrong attitude. 😦
On his return from illness, Henri was a much changed player. He had lost some of his pace and fluency and frankly at one time was so dire I feared for his future.
Credit to him for fighting back to form and fitness, and going out on loan changed his environment and apparently his attitude.
He is very talented still, but as to whether or not he will make it at Arsenal — I think the jury is still out — whereas, prior to his illness, he looked like he would make it to the first team squad well before even Jack.
This is a purely personal opinion, from the perspective of a fan watching from the touchline, and as such may be utter bollix.
I want Henri to make it for us — and prove me right. 🙂
Hope that helps, Oz! 🙂
cb – I’m afraid you are right. Like him a lot but any aspiring player should stand out at lower levels to have a chance at Arsenal eg Jack, Ryo at Bolton, Szcz at Brentford.
Collison keeps him out the side and is a better player
Lansbury is not bad, but I can’t see him ever being a regular for Arsenal
Hi TA, 🙂
Can I just say that I thought you handled yourself admirably, yesterday, despite severe and unjustified provocation from some bloggers.
If it had been me, I would have laid into them big time, but your mature, considered approach is by far the better course of action!
Well done, sir. 🙂
Cheers for your comments everyone, much appreciated.
@ cb
thank you for your insight as a West Ham supporter. I’ve only seen a few games this season as it’s hard to see championship games in Oz. I did see him send in an excellent cross not long ago that cole headed home.
@ RA
Your insight is very much appreciated, and who knows better than someone who has seen him in the flesh. Therefore, your opinion is greater on the issue. No question Glandular Fever knocked him around a bit, like it does most athletes.
I just think he is one of those players that may not stand out in the lower teams, but when the pressure is on he steps up (just like he did in the carling cup game against the scum). He is a bit of a show man which is something frowned upon at such a young age, especially considering he should have a head down bum up approach.
@ TA
you are right we do have a plethora or players in the middle, but i think Coquelin and Frimpong fight it out for the defensive midfielder position with Song, while Ramsey, Arteta, Diaby, Lansbury, and Oz fight it out as the box-to-box player (Wilshere being of course the AM in my opinion). I think Lansbury is ahead of Oz at the moment, Diaby is always injured, Ramsey needs more confidence, and Arteta is getting on.
It is hard though because then you through in the M’Vila variable which could see Song move to the Box to Box midfielder. Or alternatively Song could leave.
@ Evonne
thank you for your kind comment
hi Oz, 🙂
As soon as i read the headline i had a feeling your name was to be branded as the author at the bottom of the page..
i honestly couldnt tell you if he will make it or not..i have only ever watched him on a handful of ocassions and as Redders has stated, you just cant tell with the youth as things can change for better or worse in a season..but his game against the spuds stood out and i totally agree about the parlour similarities, nothing flashy but a damn good work horse..
there is no doubt about his qualities and potential and given Arsenes quotes, only backs it up even more..
I believe a spot on the first team will depend on congestion in the midfield, other possible youngsters coming through and of course whether or not Arsene is in need of his ingredient at our club..
Of course you have to take Henri’s thoughts into consideration..it is possible that at any stage he could get fed up with all the loans and lack of belief in him that he decides to sign permanently with another, but i would hope not..
Take into account hes been with us since the tender age of 9, hes homegrown, he absolutely adores the club and his physical qualities would be an advantage, id like to see him shown similar loyalty to that of Diaby and others..
First thing is first, as GiE said in not so many words ‘GET HIM THE FOOK AWAY FROM FAT SAM BEFORE HE RUINS THE KID FOR GOOD’..
@ TA
Top notch post yesterday, very well written and argued. Haven’t read the comments as yet but while i think he is going to be an Arsenal legend i feel in such an important match Coquelin should start in his place (simply because he is low on confidence and him and Song don’t have an understanding as yet. Whereas coquelin in more disciplined.)
oz, yeah as I say, he’s not a bad player by any means
But I just can’t see him getting to be good enough to play for Arsenal often
he’s 22 now, he shoudl already be playing in your firstteam if hes ever going to make it
Morning all, thanks for reminding us about Lansbury oz, he seems to have the right mental attitude but maybe not the required quality.
If you compare him to Coquelin who is just 20, I think we can see who is the easiest fit into the Arsenal style, but Lansbury deserves his chance and I’m sure he will be of Premier League quality in time.
cb – thanks for sharing the Wham perspective on Lansbury with us… and good luck in the playoff final.
Evonne,
you gotta listen to Peaches an go watch it on the big screen at the Em’s for the last game of the season..
you can snuggle under the duvet any day of the week..
2005/6 we beat Wigan on the last day to pip spuds for a CL place..
You know you just have to trust Arsene, the last 15yrs have been no fluke in that regard.. 🙂
16 going on 17 times of watched that goal.. Ahh-mazing 🙂
@ RuVP
thanks for the great comment. I agree with you and GiE, Big Sam is no good for any of our players!
I think he is very loyal because sticking around for this long takes patience, and he is a gooner at heart. We will see how it goes down once he returns from his loan (whether Arsene wants him, or whether Arsene doesn’t want to hold him back any longer).
I’m not sure if Arsene’s opinion of him has changed but he has given him glowing reviews, something he doesn’t give often to youngsters, so he clearly sees something there.
Also that fighting mentality is great to see, in the Carling Cup he was fighting severe cramp but he kept going and giving for the team (compare that to Denilson who had to wait for Rice to tell him to get up and keep going).
His performances in the Under 21’s have been very encouraging. In the most recent tournament England looked very lethargic and lacked drive, yet every time Lansbury came on as a sub he shot them into life and they looked a different team (it wasn’t only me who noticed it but many on here commented on it as well. With some confused as to why he actually wasn’t starting matches when he was making such an impact).
*i’ve watched that…*
Hi RA, thank you for your compliment. 🙂
I knew it would be a ‘salmon against the stream’ sort of post and was prepared for it. It is also fair to say I polarised my point of view slightly in order to get the Ramsey-doubters out, which is reflected in my choice of title. So, I cannot complain if abuse is aimed at me subsequently.
On Wednesday I read an article on the steep decline in meaningful conversation between people and the main culprit appears to be the social media. What makes AA so special is the level of meaningful, intelligent and ‘humanly warm’ conversation between the bloggers.
But, I don’t mind engaging with supporters who do not agree with me, as long as they remain reasonable. I find it easy to totally ignore anybody who is abusive or does not bother to explain their point of view properly. I strongly feel Ramsey is subjected to unfair treatment, in more ways than one, and I reckon I made a small contribution in the process of changing this. 🙂
@ Rasp
I rate Coquelin very highly, infact i think if he sticks around he will be our future #1 defensive midfielder. I just see him and Lansbury as different players, Lansbury has more of an attacking style (good passing and finishing).
I’m probably swayed a bit because i do love stories where Arsenal fans like Jenks, Wilshere, and Frimpong have their dreams come true. However, i think if Lansbury was incorporated into cup matches and the occasional sub appearance he could make a good fist of it. The season is long and rotation is needed, especially with our injury track record!
Oz,
do you remember having a conversation with me, much earlier in the season ( i was a newbie), where we both agreed that even though Song is a great player that he would leave or be sold at seasons end?
Has your opinion swayed?
oz,
and what did i say about Torres that night in the FA Cup semi..once he starts no one will stop him..with 1 goal he paid off his transfer fee 😦
i was hoping he would keep on being shite until he made his way to the Em’s for 14mil
Robin,
You old romantic you! 🙂
“Hope he keeps on being sh**e until he makes his way to the Ems for £14m”. 🙂
I do remember RuVP, and i still do think he will be (the lack of effort towards the fans in the lap of honour further reinforces this in my opinion). I mean if he goes and we get 15 million for him (at the very least) then Arsene has made a lot of profit on a player who was very much maligned at the start of his career. The transformation has been quite remarkable
A more disciplined player is needed for that position (but so i don’t anger LB, we aren’t sure whether Arsene has told him to attack more, or if he is defying orders).
@ RuVP
haha you did too, i agreed. I wanted him to go on fire sale so we could snap him up (dreaming i know, but god it would of been good). He would fit into our system so well. Hopefully Podolski will leave us saying Torres who???
hahahaha
‘anyone who knocks Ramsey is overweight’
that is bloody hilarious
TA,
Totally understand and agree with your 11:18 a.m. 🙂
AA is indeed special, and a paradisiacal island of footie calm in a maelstrom of inarticulate nonsense.
I am fortunate that you always find time to acknowledge my more serious points of view.
However, I often berate myself for my inability to write comments (or Posts) that engage with the other AA stalwarts, who seem to find my stuff incomprehensible or unutterably boring 🙂 but I guess, unlike you, I will always be ‘johnny foreigner’ and not part of the AA ‘club’ that is the nucleus of the site.
I do enjoy the humor tho! 🙂
The lure of amusing myself by adopting a new ‘persona’ and, Don Quixote like, charging off into battle with some of the neanderthals on the more visceral sites is growing by the day! 🙂
That was indeed funny Oz! Did you see the one who claimed he could criticise the post because he was a literature teacher? I needed a nappy after that one 😀
You two naughty Aussies should be tucked up in bed, hanging upside down, and not chatting football via a blogsite thousands of miles from God’s Country!! 🙂
‘I am in my right mind now, clear-headed and free of the murky darkness of ignorance, brought upon me by continual, bitter reading of those abominable books of chivalry’ D.Q
who said you aren’t the apart of the nucleus on here RA? When i first started it was your kind words and acknowledgement that made me stick around. I love your comments, the odd one leaves me searching for the dictionary, but hey you know a comments are good when people are willing to look up a dictionary to understand a few words here and there
You should put that to music, TA!! 🙂
RA, I strongly believe you are the voice of reason here on AA, and seldom or never edgy or irritated. Plus, you’re the main reason we can all say that blogging on AA is very educational and therefore not a waste of time, which in more ways than one makes us feel good about ourselves.
And like me, you don’t like injustice being done and will fight your corner every time it is required. I would love to see some of your comments in the ‘maelstrom of inarticulate nonsense’ on other blogs.
For me, you are the nucleus of the nucleus of AA, and I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way 🙂
I sure did TA, i lost it during that one two. God knows why he felt the need to mention it in the comment.
@ TA
listen TA i know Ramsey will make it…because I’m good at Fifa!
@ RA
haha AA has turned us both into night owls. but RuVP is on another level because while i’m up commenting after games at 1am, he’s still up at 4am commenting. Can’t be helped the sites to good.
RA, I love this one by Sancho Panza: ‘A good building is constructed on solid foundations and the most solid foundation is money’ – you could use it one day when you write that post on the role of money in football?! 😉
@ TA (12.19)
here here!
Oz, I don’t do FIFA, mainly because I am worried I get addicted and never read a book again! 🙂
Oz,
You are far too kind, I was only saying what I thought, and it turned out I was correct. Today’s follow up Post, after your debut, is excellent and right on the button, but thanks for saying that. 🙂
My remark was genuinely not meant as a criticism of anyone, other than myself, but days can go by with the majority of AAers feeling no compunction to agree or disagree with my footie comments.
And who can blame them? 🙂
It reminds me of that visual joke where a line of soldiers are stepping out in perfect unison, except for one, and his mom on the sidelines is saying “look they are all out of step except my Johnnie”. 🙂
My late mom was a bit like that. 🙂
Now, as an adult, I have to accept the truth is somewhat different. 🙄
@ TA
it is a problem, especially when you try to develop your youngsters for the benefit of Arsenal (may have changed attributes in a few players so they appear better (not my fault when i see players like ox and kozzer rated so poorly).
I’m still stuck reading book one of the Hunger Games (don’t judge, i just want to see what all the fuss is about haha)
Bloody ell it’s quiet today, a further point on why I think we should keep Lansbury despite cb’s Hammers view.
If you asked a United fan whether O’Shea, Brown, Fletcher etc were good enough for United the answer would probably be no, I think Evans fits in their too in the current squad.
But because of their history at and their love for the club SAF has been able to use them when required to fill in gaps, he hasn’t needed to purchase a player who might end up sitting on the sidelines behind Vidic and Ferdinand. They would need little persuasion to sign new contracts as they have won plenty of medals despite being squad players.
For this reason I would like us to hold on to a few more of the youngsters as they are good to have around the squad, love the club and will give their all for the team when asked. For example Yennaris’s performances this year when asked to fill in.
Oz, I just googled Hunger Games and it sounds interesting. I would not mind to select 6 PL footballers to fight it out against: Sagna, Mertesacker, Frimmpong, Song, Szczesny, Djourou…. 🙂
‘Red Army!’ 😀
@ RA
i can’t speak of others but most of the time on weekdays i’m a few days behind so unfortunately i’m too late to respond. I don’t respond later because i feel you’d have no idea what i’m going on about haha
I think this is now my fourth post, so i think you need to lift your game to increase your numbers. You too RuVP (no peaches has not hired me to put pressure on, but we probably need a post for tomorrow! haha)
Very good point GiE!
@ GiE
very good point, i feel squad players that are Arsenal through and through are bound to deliver more than those who are just happy to pick up their pay cheques.
Yennaris is a very good prospect, and a good utility. Also i think Lansbury for that reason would deliver a hell of a lot more in an Arsenal shirt, as opposed to a hammers one.
@ TA
swap merts with RVP and then you’ve got a Red Army. Also think coquelin would be a handful
My quickie says, we should keep Lansbury. Blood Bartley and Lansbury this season.
Oz, Fine post for us to chat about …..
Not for me. We have Denilson coming back, Frimpong, Coquelin, Wilshere, Ramsey, Song, Rosicky, Arteta and O-C all ahead of him.
Why put an ambitious lad in the stiffs?
I heartily recommend reading this interview with Koz with France Football
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/koscielny-we-put-the-house-back-in-order
Some quotes:
“even if I’m someone who likes the beautiful game, I also enjoy the physical side of it. ‘Go to war’ – no worries! (laughs)”
“We had to put the house back in order. And everyone did their bit: the coach, the club, because we were in a critical situation. The squad wasn’t giving enough for the club, and was aware of it. We got back to work, we told each other the things that needed to be told”
On RvP : “I try not to kick him too much! I go ‘soft’ on him…(laughs). We try to be reasonable: the season is so long…”
“Arsenal’s place is among the top four clubs in England. A club doesn’t ‘die’ like that, and the players realised it. There weren’t too many people to accompany us in this climb back [to our place], but we did it.”
FYI. . This afternoon Big Raddy is going to his Italian retreat until Tuesday and will miss SBS.
He is worried not to have his mates around him during those fateful 90+ mins but trusts that you fine people will guide the team through to glory.
His advice is this ….. Keep Calm, We will Win.
Raddy I think we’d all like to spend the weekend at your Italian retreat and avoid SBS
Gavin Hoytes time is up at AFC:
Peaches if you haven’t got a post for tomorrow I have some inspiration (but it’s time dependent) (ie before SBS)
https://twitter.com/andre_santos27/status/200930749619249154
at this moment I would rather have him in the squad then diaby. de is not the most gifted player in the world but he can come in a do a good job as a defensive midfielder when needed. Its not all about talent (though he has some of that too) but he also has lot of what is missing at Arsenal…passion, heart, energy and he is an arsenal man through and through…We play a lot of games, I think he needs to be given at least a chance to prove he can make a career at the club.
he is not in any way a defensive midfielder
Hi all
Thanks oz for a great post – Henri is a local lad and there were great prospects for him but sadly he was a bit of a nightclub king for a while and then the Gladular Fever laid him low. I don’t think he’s been used enough at Wham but as others have said do we really want him schooled the Allardyce way? Loves Arsenal but often that’s not enough.
Maybe AW will get him back for the cups and see how he does.
from what i have heard, lansbury sounds like a decent player, and i wish him the best. of course my biggest fear is that one day we let him go, and he becomes a star somewhere else in the pl. but thats always a risk..
Ouch – dentist was definitely an ouch experience 😦
GiE – if you have time and a thought for a post for tomorrow then it’s all yours 🙂
cb
can you give us a bit more detail about what you thought his strengths and weaknesses were in the games he played for the Irons this season?
Oz
Excellent subject for a Post. Someone did one a while back about Wellington and it also produced a fascinating debate.
I like the idea of Lansbury but I just haven’t seen enough of him to feel I can comment on whether or not he should rejoin us. It’s interesting that both at Norwich and WHam he did not manage to secure a regular starting berth.
can i take an informal poll — would you sign for this scenario including all 1-4 ? – no adjustments
1 –sign podolski, mvila, and a solid creative attacking midfielder..no hazard or superstar and no new defender(vertonghen)
2 — re sign rvp and song
3 — sell theo and replace with hoilett
4 — no champions league NEXT season
of course, we can have it all, and be in the champs league, but would you take this deal assuring you right now that robin STAYS for sure, and three important signings at least- i threw in the walcott part to make it more tricky..
i wanted to ask before this sunday 🙂
I’m a West Ham United season ticket holder so have seen most of Lansbury’s games this season. He is a decent enough player, but not good enough to break into the Arsenal first team. He hasnt even established himself in West Hams team in the championship! 23 games out of a possible 50. He is very inconsistent, one week he can be the best player on the pitch, but then the next week he wont do anything. Also, IMO he doesnt work hard enough for the team, rarely do you see him tracking back to defend or flying into challenges. Lansbury is at his best in and around the box, he has an eye for goal and is a very good passer of the ball. In fact, his assist for Coles 2nd against Hull is my pass of the season. He is only young though, so maybe when he peaks at around 25-26 he could well be good enough to play premier league football, but i highely doubt he will be at a top 6 club. When his loan expires i wouldnt mind us signing him permanently as a squad player but wouldnt pay any more than £2m for him.
Redders
I feel impelled to reply to your 12.31 (see – there’s irony in there somewhere!)
When I come on the site in the fine Canadian morn there is always a good Post waiting to be read plus a lot of good comments. I duly read them all while, along the way, making up my mind about what I think of the issue of the day.
I then post my thoughts usually as a statement, rather than a direct response to an individual point.
I’m pretty sure that a lot of regular contributors do similar.
So I am not engaging in dialogue so much as a… er… polylogue? (calm down GLiC, it has nothing to do with multiple wives 🙂 ).
However, it would be wrong to think that your comments and questions have not contributed to the formation of my own opinion on the subject. They have, along with other people’s.
At other times, when time permits, it is also fun to engage in some dialogue (or trialogue or quadrologue) about all sorts of arcane and bizarre matters and there is no better blog site in football than this one for doing exactly that.
So what am I rambling on about?
I think I’m trying to say that you may be less ignored than you think you are 🙂
And aside from informing my opinions, your comments are among those that always make me smile (or laugh out loud), even if I don’t always respond directly to them.
Enough! As you might say yourself, I doubt you have got past the first sentence of this stream of pompousness!
Will be good if these predictions come true.
Matt Law@MattLawExpress
My big game predictions: Man City 2 QPR 0, Stoke 1 Bolton 1, WBA 0 Arsenal 3, Tottenham 2 Fulham 0, Everton 1 Newcastle 2, Norwich 2 Villa 0
rhys
Thanks for that – very useful first hand information. My mate who’s a WHam season ticket holder says pretty much the same.
The worrying bit is: “he doesnt work hard enough for the team, rarely do you see him tracking back to defend or flying into challenges”.
We have a few like that already and I’m not sure we need another one.
Thats a quality read Oz’G.
I like Lansbury, but I do fear he’s missed his chance, now that we seem to be spending money a bit more freely.
He’s not exactly sety the world alight at Uprton park, but they may be for many different reasons….and I’m have no knowledge or insight into any of them !!
What did puzzle me was why he wet to WHam anyway. He helped Naarwich into the Prem, and then there was talk of them qanting to sign him. So why not go on loan there…and see how he does in PL games every week…??
Odd
Don’t be sad Red…I hang on your every word !!
ROCKY LIVES
he’s good on the ball, can pick a pass, pretty good at finding space
but isn’t overly strong, not great in the tackle, he;s kind of stuck between being a central midfielder and a winger in my opinion, neither one nor the other
RA – bad hair day?
Dandan – terrible predictions. What are Spurs doing there winning??
Thanks cb
4.53p.m.Sunday 13th May
GOAL
A deflected shot in the 93rd minute by Aaron Ramsey secures third spot for Arsenal 🙂
I lurve him already
Lurve of the manly variety obviously 🙂
Kelsey 🙂
You never know…
But if we need a goal in the 93rd minute I’m not sure the old ticker will take it.
Yikes,
Apparently, Chezzer is a serious doubt for Sunday. He may not be playing well but better him than Flappy!!
On top of that, Dempsey and other first teamers are unavailable for Fulham against the Spuds.
Bloody hell!
If my insider man is about, can you tell me what is happening with Boro Primorac? Is he leaving with Pat Rice?
He has always been something of an ’eminence grise’ for Arsene. [a powerful figure, behind the scenes].
Come on, Kelsey, we need answers!! 🙂
Jeepers Oz,
For the first time ever, I have had to do some research after reading a post, namely a phone call to a local Hammer fan. His answer was a bit “yes, but no but, well, errr, maybe but…”, and so the conversation continued. In short, I think what he was saying was: “yes, but no”.
Oh shit. t-45:27hrs
What’s all this nonsense about szezney? Not playing Sunday.
Also, why isn’t Dempsey playing for Fulham?
Things are not looking good.
So let’s re-cap. Rasp will be behind the sofa with LB. Peaches at the stadium. Evonne, sub-douvet. The key question is: “where will GiE’s parents be?”
VCC,
I heard that about Sz on the radio. They said “a doubt” rather than confirmed. No Dempsey is not good I agree, but we really must not count on anyone else.
That’s true Micky…..I’m not sure my heart will be able to take it Sunday. It was bad enough last week listening to the Spurs game. I had to walk up the pub to take my mind of it, when I got there I knew they never won by the look on my Sons face.
VCC,
I have one very good Spud chum and he’s been sending very nervous texts.
VCC,
Thinking of nerves, can you imagine what it’ll be like for the 4th placed team!
Please dont let that be us in fourth. Im hoping for some sweet relief this sunday. Finally want to be able to exhale.
For the bluebell lovers:
Taken today by me
At 30,000 ft with free wi-fi! Oh, the wonder of modern technology.
Peaches. Did I not like your Ouch comment. Hope things have calmed and the pain nullified by copious use of drugs.
If Flapianski has to play he will be fine. And if he isn’t, we have Robin van Persie, Player of the Year and a man who can score when he wants.
That’s really cool Raddy 🙂
The ouch is a nagging ache rather than a pain or so all the other experts in Dental implants have told me. Smart arses ……….
Did you read my email before you left?
Raddy,
Are you telling us that you are a “mile high”?
I say “stay in your seat Mrs Raddy”!!
GiE,
Love your bluebell pics. Just make sure you have a backpack sprayer full of Roundup to kill the Spaniards when you see them!
Micky. Mrs Raddy left at home …… If I am to join the club, it will be a solo flight 🙂
Peaches. Received email. Thanks. Please can I go in your pocket to Ashburton Grove?
Raddy,
Better than nothing. Apparently 🙂
What are the plans for your stay in Italy? Too early for Truffle hunting.
Clever post Oz
I like the way you invite peoples views. I have yet to master that skill; I tend to go for a more dictatorial style myself. lol
Anyway, Lansbury in my opinion is being smart by staying out on loan. This way he is not forcing Arsenal to make a decision one way or the other. It is a win-win situation for both parties: Lansbury gets to play fairly regularly and Arsenal while having hold of him are able to watch him develop without him being a financial burden.
As to whether he will make it at Arsenal? Who knows, I don’t believe any of us have seen enough of him.
Micky. Preparing for early summer rentals and going to the historic grand prix in Monaco.
Anything to escape SBS.
Hi GIE
I thought your comments on Arteta yesterday were brilliant.
GiE. What a beautiful flower they are. I picked some on Monday at my local woods. They are in a vase right next to me. 🙂
Redders
Boro Primorac – does anyone have any idea what he actually does/has done?
Maybe he’s just part of a team that AW needs around him to feel secure…
If he lives, he should go to Boro.
It worked for Arsene – Arsenal.
that’s not fair. Now I have to go back in time and read GiE’s comments about Arteta
Micky – Peaches not going to the Ems, she might be behing my sofa after all. They sold out places to watch the game on a big screen, can you imagine?
Lovely pics GiE.
Your quite the artist…
Oz
I just re-read your Post and realised I didn’t give it the praise it deserved earlier. You have done some real research and you really broadened out your point with your information about the Youth Cup side and what’s happened to them since. A really top notch piece.
Last two days , two fine posts. Ramsey, will be a fine player, but I`d bench him on SBS.
Lansbury, I haven`t got a clue, apart from, exceptional players of 21 years old would be in the 1st team ala Jack.
Lovely pictures GIE, I have hedges full of Bluebells, when I eventually master the art of posting pictures and stuff, I`ll put them on, with the White wild Garlic and the Red campions they look beautiful.
I see there was a hoax Olympic flame relay in Bounds Green today ( the real one started in Greece yesterday ). People lined the streets cheering as a Greek man sprinted down Bounds Green Rd,in his y-fronts, Flame in hand shouting some ancient dialect ,before turning down a side street and entering Scout Park and jumping in the lake !.
An exhausted man named Terry said, ” As soon as I saw the Sun come out, I immediately got the B-B-Q out, put some coals on and soaked them with lighter fuel, as I struck the match my Telescope caught fire, I tried putting it out with my syrup but it was to late, I panicked and started to leg it !”.
GiE. The last two photos in the sequence are simply superb. Well done young man.
Interesting views from Pat Rice on Arsene froma rsenal.com..
What were your first impressions of Arsène, was it just as much of a culture shock for you as everyone else?
Of course it was. We had been used to going out for a good drink after the game. Whenever the game had finished the players would go to the lounge and there would be lager and everything. But that stopped more or less straight away. In fairness Tony Adams, who was captain then, had his problem at that time, so they decided between them that it wouldn’t be the case anymore. Since then we have never had any alcohol in and around the changing room. He was shown to be ahead of his time because everyone has followed suit.
What were the other immediate changes?
The diet. I would say that was a major thing, what the players ate. Also stretching was a big thing. That came in before and after training and that was all new to us. Some of the senior players at the time say that actually lengthened their careers, especially the back four. So we may have been sceptical but it certainly worked.
So you were sceptical at the time of his arrival then?
Well we had no idea who he was. I think the only one who knew anything about him was Mr Dein, but the rest of us had absolutely no idea.
Did he meet with you and the rest of the coaching staff at the beginning and outline his vision?
No, not at all, nothing like that. He came in and slowly but surely changed things into his own way. It was nice and quietly done, nothing dramatic in it, and everybody responded positively to his ideas.
Was there uncertainty on your part about whether he would keep you on at first?
Well the very first day he arrived I asked him what my role would be, and he told me what he wanted from me and it’s been the same way ever since.
Did you advise him on life at Arsenal and in the Premier League in general?
No, not really, he didn’t have to ask my advice as such. We would sit down with the staff and depending on who we were playing we would talk about it and talk about the players. But his knowledge of players is second to none, not just in England but all over the world. Anyone will tell you that.
How can you measure the impact he’s had on the Club?
He has completely revolutionised the Club. All you have to do is take a look around the training ground and the facilities. All you have to do is look at the stadium. He was the one who kept saying that if you want to compete with the biggest clubs in the world then you have to do something different. Everybody in the world knows our style of play now, and they all enjoy it. The players enjoy it, which is the best thing, and as a coach you enjoy it after the game. It’s a pleasure to work here, who wouldn’t love to work in these surroundings, especially as we have an extremely good chef!
How has your relationship with the boss developed over the years?
I think that myself, Boro [Primorac] and the boss have a relationship where we all say the truth and what we feel, but at the end of the day the boss is in charge, and ultimately he will do what he feels right and we will back him all the way. We all get on well, but in fairness anyone who knows Boro and Arsène will tell you that is how they are.
Is he similar to any other managers you’ve worked with?
Nope, he’s nothing like them. He is much calmer than anyone I’ve known. He is just as diligent as those I’ve worked with before, but the really amazing thing is the amount of players he knows about worldwide, and the Club benefit from that year on year. He has taken the Club to a new dimension.
How ‘hands on’ is he as a coach?
Very. He is always at the training ground, always. He’s always working with players, whether it is one-on-one or with a group. He works with youth players, reserve players, first-team players – he loves coaching. His enthusiasm is infectious and people listen to him because you would be completely stupid not to. He shows people respect and if he had anything to say to a player he would tell them in private, because there are never rows or anything like that. All we work towards is winning the next game, everything else to a degree is irrelevant. Everything is building towards that. We all coach together, we all have our input. Each morning the manager will have a meeting with the coaching staff, he tells us what we will do that day, and then it’s up to all of us to try to put that into practice.
How have the first 10 years gone?
They have flown by. I remember the day he arrived like it was yesterday. I picked him up from the hotel that day and brought him into Highbury. He will go down as perhaps the greatest manager this Club has ever known, certainly alongside them. His legacy will last forever.
Thanks for the positive feedback on the pics.
I have to say when I was taking them I was thinking “redbells would be much better” 🙂
They seem to have enjoyed the rains this year, and I’m seeing them everywhere on my travels, today was the first time I actually had some time to take the photos. It’s never good being late for a client and turning up with muddied knees on a suit and trying to explain it away by “I was crawling through the woods taking pictures of bluebells”
Fantastic interview Rob, thanks for posting it.
GiE – lovely pics, they show your romantic side
Peaches – did the tooth fairy leave you a few quid under the pillow?
This time in 2 days time I’ll be celebrating long overdue St T’s day
@ AA
thanks all for your comments, your opinion and responses are greatly appreciated
@ BR
If Denilson comes back and plays in our shirt again i’ll die a little inside. As mentioned earlier we need a big squad, and i don’t think all midfielders should be grouped in the same category. Enjoy your italian trip.
@ Peaches
cheers for posting it peaches. I agree cup games should be his chance. 1 starting berth – 1 goal against the spuds (that’s probably the best ratio of goals against the spuds whilst playing for Arsenal ever! Let the boy play!)
@ GiE
Gavin Hoyte is another surprise. Everyone used to say how he was the better brother and that we bought Justin to get him, that he was our future CB, ect. It just seems like he never grew as a player after his loan spells!
@ Piken79
thanks for your great comment, but a defensive midfielder he is not.
@ Rhys
thank you for your insight into Lansbury. I think all his faults (not tracking back, not working hard enough, hit and miss games) would all be ironed out at Arsenal and under Arsene.
1) Arsene is a better manager
2) It’s his boyhood club and if that doesn’t make you work harder nothing will
3) He has perhaps one more opportunity to show Arsene what he’s got so he needs to bust a gut to do it!
@ Sharkespeare
cheers
@ Micky
you weren’t on the phone to vicky pollard from little brittan at all were you?
@ LB
thanks a lot, much appreciated. You are right, by doing that he isn’t saying to Arsenal ‘hey play me or I’m out’
@ Rocky
cheers Rocky, to get such praise from a great writer like yourself makes writing any post worth while. Lucky for everyone I don’t do it more often otherwise i might kill the site haha
@ Rob
thanks for the interview, a good read. In short: Arsene is a legend and has revolutionised Arsenal and the game!
@ AA
thanks all for your comments, your opinion and responses are greatly appreciated
@ BR
If Denilson comes back and plays in our shirt again i’ll die a little inside. As mentioned earlier we need a big squad, and i don’t think all midfielders should be grouped in the same category. Enjoy your italian trip.
@ Peaches
cheers for posting it peaches. I agree cup games should be his chance. 1 starting berth – 1 goal against the spuds (that’s probably the best ratio of goals against the spuds whilst playing for Arsenal ever! Let the boy play!)
@ GiE
Gavin Hoyte is another surprise. Everyone used to say how he was the better brother and that we bought Justin to get him, that he was our future CB, ect. It just seems like he never grew as a player after his loan spells!
@ Piken79
thanks for your great comment, but a defensive midfielder he is not.
@ Rhys
thank you for your insight into Lansbury. I think all his faults (not tracking back, not working hard enough, hit and miss games) would all be ironed out at Arsenal and under Arsene.
1) Arsene is a better manager
2) It’s his boyhood club and if that doesn’t make you work harder nothing will
3) He has perhaps one more opportunity to show Arsene what he’s got so he needs to bust a gut to do it!
@ Sharkespeare
cheers
t-33:08 hrs
Tick tock
This is a stern warning to Big Raddy.
Assuming we win tomorrow, some may put this down to a curse being lifted. Then, some may twig that perhaps it was no coincidence our mini bad run ended the moment BR cleared off.
An inverted GiE parent syndrome.
Oh well, enjoy the race, up Ferrari (the only pedigree car left), and I hope many sun rays land on your head.
Oi Oz,
I want a chat about Denilson.
He’s a late developer. He could be a cross between Arteta and Gilberto.
Just have a feeling I may be alone on this one.
(bit like I am on here right now)
tick
tock
Morning Robbin.
I need to come up with a plan to fill my day and take my mind off things. Rubbish neap tide, so no lobstering 😦
I love the image of GiE turning up for a meeting in his suit with muddy knees and trying to explain that he’d been taking photos of bluebells. Yeah right!
Morning all and sorry for not acknowledging your fine post,oz.
The permutations for tomorrow are I am sure driving us all up the wall and imagine the worst scenario where we could have any two from three, Chelsea,,Spurs and us all in the Europa Cup.
Kelsey,
Like the CC, I wouldn’t even bother entering the Europa.
morning all.
I’m hanging out for the game, i can’t wait. My theory is:
No way it can go as bad as it did last week! Therefore, it won’t
@ Micky
no way, i despise him with a passion! When he first started i thought he was going to be our cesc alternative but then he didn’t develop. Due to Flamini’s exit he had to endure a year of him as a defensive midfielder, and in most games i was left shaking my head at his effort. I still have nightmares about him jogging back while Jenas passes him and slots in a goal! He couldn’t even get games for sao pualo in Brazil. In conclusion i would rather have Nasri, Cole, Fabregas, Adebayor, and Gallas back then him!!!!
@ Kelsey
thanks, appreciate it. I’m hanging out for more insider goss
Micky – I am a slow developer, just worked out your brill t- comments 🙂 And don’t worry, nobody is going to ask you to enter the Europa
Morning Kelsey
This might interest you:
Intensive speculation over here about Barcelona’s finances and La Caixa Savings Bank. The bank have blocked any further loans to the club and by all reports Barca will have to sell before they can buy again. They have already put down 10 million euros as a deposit on Neymar and rumour has it that if they want to buy players in the 30 million + bracket they cant unless they sell first.Alves and Villa are prime candidates. The problem is twofold as I have stated previously La Caixa are wobbling as are many other banks and institutions in Spain.
Real Madrid somehow have a direct pipeline to politicians and the government and though not ethical but has been the norm for years, have for the time being far stronger resources.
@ Micky
and no i’m not overweight! haha
So RVP either goes to RM or City or Juve (not likely) or possibly stays with us. I see we have been linked again with toilet of Blackburn. Will Wenger flush him out.
Kelsey – let’s get Messi, quick!!
Pity that more world class players are not Greek
Oz – we are all overweight here, officially the fatest country in Europe 🙂
Oz,
You beat me to the “overweight” comment by a whisker 🙂
I’m not sure I’m entirely serious about Denilson.
evonne like that:” Pity that more world class players are not Greek”
Evra has been shouting his mouth off again ‘We can still win the title’ – HOW? you arrogant odious dickhead?
Messi + afellay for denilson, bendy, vela, almunia, and squidge.
Sounds good to me!
RVP to stay!!!
Kelsey,
Interesting stuff about Barca. It could never last in the present financial climate in Spain, and even Real’s bubble could burst.
Could it be feasable that Almunia plays tomorrow if our Pole in goal has a bad back, or is it Fabianski
Kelsey – I think Barca have got power t. o generate some serious income – a couple of lucrative sponsorships could get them out of trouble. Morrisons paid a fortune to Spurs for the deal, they would probably double the money for Barcelona. Imagine Messi, Puyol and Cesc with ‘Morrisons’ logo on their chests? ha ha ha
morning all,
Micky, id rather have dennis bergkamp starting with a broken leg than Denilson..lets not forget how he bad mouthed our club when he left on loan…
ticK Tock
Micky,
Real will not be affected. Spain is a Third World country when it wants to be, and corruption has never been as bad as it is now.705 of under 25 year olds are unemployed and the equivalent to dole money is only paid for 2 years,but at least they make them do street cleaning, and generally tidy up areas of grassland etc.
evonne, the bank are in deep trouble and need repayments from barca first and foremost.
i would rather not sign anybody else if it meant that RvP signed again…hes our next bergkamp…i really want to see a full season with him and jack and prince poldi…it will be the most dangerous left sided triangle in history of EPL..
MARK MY WORDS 🙂 lol
Micky,
if lobsters are out of season today, you can always catch crabs 🙂
who’s got my coat?
@ RuVP
you sure can just depends where you are fishing! river, ocean, pub
Oz,
spearwood has better hunting grounds than lets say peppermint grove 🙂
Pardew named manager of the season
Kompany named player of the year
who gave these awards out?
I’d rather someone like pardew get it than mancini. What he has done for newcastle is nothing short of unbelievable. Especially some of the players he has brought in for peanuts.
As for kompany, he has been a great player for them, what pisses me off most is that they bought him for 6 million! The amount they spend and their best player cost nothing!
Still RVP not getting it is robbery!
Agreed on all fronts Oz, but who gave the awards out..i thought RVP got player of the year or was that just the players and writers association?
Morning all, heard the story about Barca and the bank yesterday from Ballague. He was quashing Bale to Barca rumours as he said its simply not possible.
Especially since they’ve put the €10m down on Neymar a deal likely to cost them €40m more.
Kelsey will know more but are Barca not helped in the same way as Madrid due to the Catalan heritage?
Robbery? hmmm, thats what Bayern is gonna do to chel$ki..
Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery = ‘Robbery’ hahah
see what i did there? i can be clever when i want to be! 🙂
Morning GIE,
LB is your man there as he lived in Barcelona for a while, I believe.
As I see it Madrid and most of the south of Spain regard Barceloa and the catalans as a seperate country.
The Basque region has the highest earners in Spain yet ETA are based there.it gets all rather complicated.
Morning People, 🙂
Micky, tell me more about these tides — what have turneaps got to do with it? i understand ‘taters and neaps’ are a Scottish dish?
Cheers Kelsey. I’m surprised Barca have only gone to a Spanish bank, they have their little deal with the Qatari Foundation on the shirts, wouldn’t be surprised that an oil rich bank wouldn’t loan the money.
Kelsey,
ETA are an armed Basque group fighting for independence, so wouldn’t they base themselves in the Basque region, or have I misunderstood you ……….. again! 🙂
RA,
I can’t get me bleedin’ pots in deap enough with turnips around 🙂
sorry, deap, neap, deep
Micky,
There have been rumours of armed gangs of red faced Lobsters buying up turnips in Devon, and causing a shortage in supplies.
The police are puzzled ……………….. but you may have cracked it – as well as a lobster – and it fits in with Glic’s claim that he tried to go swimming in Devon but was thwarted when he was up to his ghoulies in neaps.
Sorry RA,
If you were being serious:
New/Full Moon=every 2 wks=v.high and v.low tide.
Every other wk=neap tide=not ve.high or low.
I need v.low tide to get pots on edge of where rock turns to sand ie where lobsters like to hang about. Security of rocky holes/crevices and open ground for hunting prey like prawns and small crabs.
Ah ha, confirmed. You were being serious 🙂
Micky,
I had read the term ‘neap tide’ used in an adventure yarn, but did not take any real notice.
Thanks for the explanation! 🙂
RA,
Missed out. New/Full Moon = spring tide.
Spring tide is opposite of Neap tide.
Morning all
New Post ……………….