Arsenal have announced that young goalkeeper James Shea signed a new contract extension yesterday. The 19-year-old has been a regular sub for the first team over the past few weeks, and is gaining quite a reputation at the club. With Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia sidelined with injury, Shea got the call up as backup to Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal nets.
The Islington born goalie impressed for the Academy team that won the ‘double’ in the 2008/09 season. Shea is currently starting for the reserve side, and his impressive performances earned the youngster a place on the bench alongside some of the most famous players in the world. Shea’s highlight of this season was his ‘call-up’ to help the England squad prepare for their 2012 Euro qualifier against Bulgaria, and his experience alongside the best English shot-stoppers will no doubt have given Shea invaluable experience going forward.
Also today the North-London club announced that their Premier League game against Stoke City would be moved to Wednesday the 23rd February. The top-flight clash, originally due to be played on the 22nd, has been put back to accommodate the Gunners FA Cup Fifth-Round tie at home to Leyton Orient, which takes place on Sunday the 20th of this month. In the event that the replay goes to a replay (a possible outcome given the Gunners performances in the competition this year) the replay will be staged at the Emirates Stadium, on Wednesday the second of March; kicking off at 19.45.
Samir Nasri believes that colleague Jack Wilshire is capable of making the step up into international football permanent. The French midfielder said yesterday before England’s game against Denmark “I like Jack as a player, he is never scared. I like his attitude and he reminds me a bit of me when I was younger. He is a great, great, great prospect.” Nasri added “I have a lot of respect for Jack because he is a really talented player. He plays with guts as you say in England. I like him as a player because he always tries to play forward.” Arsenal and England team-mate Theo Walcott also sung the 19-year-olds praises. Also speaking yesterday Walcott said “He has got confidence, is playing week in and week out for Arsenal with no fear. Jack is gifted in his left foot and is an absolute dream to play with. If he gets the chance I am sure he will grab it with both hands.”
Wilshire made his second cap for Fabio Capello’s side last night, and no doubt we’ll be seeing more of him on the international stage in years to come.
