Arsenal starlet Henri Lansbury hailed the 'next David Seaman' after England debut to remember



By Neil Moxley

Henri Lansbury survived a deluge a shots that rained down upon him, but not the barrage of texts from his pals, lauding the Arsenal youngster as the 'next David Seaman.'

The youngster's full debut for England's Under-21 side against Germany on Tuesday night ended in bizarre fashion when he donned the gloves after substitute keeper Jason Steele was sent-off.



The gloves are on: Henri Lansbury

Head coach Stuart Pearce had already switched Scott Loach for Steele at half-time, leaving his side short of a keeper.

And when Belgian referee Christof Virant brandished the red card, Lansbury seized his chance.

Until then, the Gunners' playmaker had been performing creditably enough. Although he was powerless to prevent the Germans scoring from the penalty spot following the incident that led to Steele's dismissal.

Lansbury made one or two eye-catching saves - one from Konstantin Rausch's header was the pick of the bunch - and he dealt comfortably with everything else that came his way.

Afterwards he said: 'When Jason was sent-off, I looked about and a few of the lads seemed a bit wary of going in goal.

'So I looked at the lads then at the bench and thought I'd take one for the team.

'I've played there before...over the park with my mates - so it was nothing new to me!

'But I never dreamt my debut would end like that. Definitely not. Obviously going in goal was not in the plan. It was a shock but I enjoyed it.



Swapping shirts: Jason Steele hands over the goalkeeper's jersey to Lansbury

'I got a bit nervy when the Germans started sending a few shots in. But being an outfield player you know when people are going to shoot and that definitely helped. My saves were down to quick reactions really.

'I came off afterwards and I've had loads of texts from my mates, all of them saying: 'Seaman, Seaman.'

'I've not played in a competitive game there though. The only time I can remember doing that was in the school playground.'



Skipper Michael Mancienne added: 'He does mess around in goal during training but he did well, didn't he?

'No-one expected him to volunteer. I just saw him walking towards the goal and putting the gloves on. He wanted to do it and I wasn't going to stop him.'



Lansbury enjoyed spells out on loan with both Watford and Scunthorpe but is hoping to increase his game time with Arsenal.

'I could have gone out on loan but I wanted to stay to try and fight for a place,' he added, 'I thought I did all right in the Tottenham game earlier in the season.

'Coming here and playing is just what I needed. I haven't played much football at Arsenal this season. I just have to keep working hard.'

And he threw down a challenge to some of his team-mates when he returns to Arsenal's training HQ at London Colney.

'I've done a bit of goalkeeping after training when I've gone in goal and a few of them have taken shots at me,' he added, 'they know I can play in goal.

'Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Conor Henderson have been trying their luck. But neither of them has scored a worldy against me yet.'





