'It was nice to play for the Club once again'

By Rob Kelly

Henri Lansbury admits it was nice to pull on the Arsenal shirt again at Southampton on Saturday - and hopes to do so many more times this year.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at West Ham United as they won promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.

It was an invaluable learning experience for Lansbury, but he was pleased to feature for the Gunners once again in the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.

“It's always nice to play for the Club you have been with for so long, and hopefully I can put on the shirt many more times,” he told Arsenal Player.

“To get another promotion was great. It was a good experience for me at West Ham.”

Lansbury scored against Anderlecht in Saturday’s opening game at St Mary’s, and came close to claiming another against Southampton in Arsenal's second game.

“It was a great opportunity for the lads to get some minutes under their belts and to win [the Memorial Cup] was a bonus,” he said. “The goal came after a good cross by Jenks and it was nice to get on the end of it.

“I should have scored [against Southampton] as well, but I thought the keeper would clear it. I got a bit excited and fell over!”

Watch the full interview with Henri on Arsenal Player now.