This may annoy fellow supporters, but I would really, really like to see Mikel Arteta get a call-up to the Spanish national team.
I understand all the reasons why – in theory – we should NOT want that to happen.
He is one of our few automatic starters and a mainstay of this year’s exciting, new-look Arsenal, so the last thing we want is him going off on international duty and getting kicked up in the air by Olaf Ankelschnapper in a meaningless friendly.
Then there’s the fact that when the rest of the squad goes off to play for their national sides, he gets a nice long break (which is important when we want him, ideally, to start every important game). While others are having to mingle with pond life like Ashley Cole and Sergio Biscuits, our Mikel can wander round London Colney like a king, attaching jokey notes to other players’ lockers and maybe even finding time to take grapes and flowers to Abou Diaby in the sick bay.
But I have been so impressed with Arteta’s professionalism, intelligence and application since he signed for us that I just feel he deserves national recognition as a reward for what he has brought to the game.
In a sport awash with overpaid, greedy scumbags he stands out as one of the good guys. He is still held in high esteem by his erstwhile fans at Everton and he took a pay cut to join Arsenal. Contrast that with players who almost crash their cars when offered “only” £55,000 a week, or racially abuse their colleagues or spend more time on the front pages of the tabloids than on the back.
Mikel may have impeccably groomed eyebrows and Action Man’s hair, but he is a reminder that there are still players in the game with moral standing.
As Arsene Wenger has pointed out, if Mikel had been born in a different era – or in this era but in a different country – he would probably have close to 100 caps by now.
Certainly England would have loved a player with his class and technique over the last decade.
Spain is currently fortunate to have a group of some of the best midfielders ever to step onto a football pitch. Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Busquets and Silva are all literally world class.
Then there are the midfield geniuses of Arsenal Past and Arsenal Present: Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla.
What a collection of talent! And most of them not even tall enough to be allowed on the Nemesis ride at Alton Towers.
However, even with this legion of impossibly gifted Spanish midfielders, surely there must be scope for Mikel to gain a cap or two.
Now that he has cemented the deep-lying “pivot” role for himself at Arsenal, you would think he could do a similar job at national level if, for example, his good friend Xabi Alonso was unavailable.
With his passing accuracy, his composure and his eye for a great ball he would slot seamlessly into the Spanish national side. Indeed, among Europe’s top leagues he is second only to Xavi in his pass completion rate so far this season (Xavi is on 96.3%, Arteta on 93.8%).
Would there be any knock-on benefit to Arsenal if Mikel finally got the call-up? I doubt it. He is such a good professional that he gives his all for us anyway and getting an extra boost of pride from being capped is unlikely to change things.
At 30 a call-up might seem unlikely, but I would not rule it out. If Arsenal have a very good season and compete well in the Premier League and the Champions League, more attention will fall on our Spanish metronome and it would not be completely surprising to see him drafted into the national squad.
Putting my Arsenal-skewed self interest aside I sincerely hope that it happens because he deserves it as a player and as a man. Yes, there would be a risk he would come back to us injured or tired – but we have that risk with the vast majority of our players anyway. And it would be a crying shame for such a fine player to end his days uncapped.
Do you agree?
And can you think of previous Arsenal greats who never got capped by their country (Geordie Armstrong springs to mind, and I’m pretty sure that Nigel Winterburn only got a single England cap).
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
What an excellent article! Could not agree more, there are very few positive role models left in the modern game, but arteta is definately one! I used to think robin was…but human nature and greed got the better of him. Absolutely love arteta, he is so under-rated; and does such an intelligent and important role for us! He deserves a call up + a long term, more lucrative contract for himself and his family.
Welcome sharif, it’s hard to think that any Arsenal supporter would have a bad word to say for Arteta.
I didn’t study him closely when he played for Everton, but all I can say is that when he wears the Arsenal shirt he gives his all, plays with a smile on his face and is always there for every goal celebration displaying those gleeming teeth and not a hair out of place.
He seems to love us as much as we love him and I agree that rewarding him financially for what he has done for the Arsenal would just be right and proper.
Rocky, 🙂
A fascinating and rhapsodical paeon of prose in support of Mikel Artetetea’s inclusion in the Spanish national team and something that would be difficult to argue with.
I, too, would like to see that happen, but I think you have already qualified the likelihood of this happening in your excellent Post, leaving aside any misgivings from an Arsenal perspective, in that he is up against a fantastic panoply of talent currently available to Spain, the majority of whom are much younger – and faster – than our Mikel.
To be candid I think Cazzor deserves more recognition in that respect, because although playing in a different position to Arteta, he is by far the more accomplished of the two. Not that it is an ‘either or’ situation between them.
Sadly I think even Cazzor will remain a bit part player for the Spaniards.
Never mind, we will appreciate the pair of them even more for the fantastic contributions they have made and will continue to make for the Gunners. 🙂
Part ? of the Rock Files. Great.
Yes, It would be a reward for our talented Captain Black look-a-like, but being a selfish Gooner, I`m glad it wont happen as he benefits from the ( well earned ) rest.
Peter Simpson never won a cap !, which is amazing, not just considering his talent, but also that Moore and Hunter never picked up any injuries in an era of virtually no protection !.
i pray that he gets a call-up..it would work magic on his already impeccable confidence, and appreciation to Arsene for the slick transition. Destined for greatness Inshallah
Well said, maulid!! 🙂
Morning all and interesting point the Rock brings up.
I’ve gotten fed up at how many times our trophy chances have gone down the crapper after a key player gets injured on international duty so I’m going to be a selfish gooner and answer “No!”
Get your rest Mikel, wrap yourself in cotton wool and keep away from scum like Pepe Reina, Biscuits and DNA swallower Xavi.
On a side note does anyone see the irony in the choice of venue for the “Leaders in football” being the Chavs place ? That den of racism, corruption, vice and skulldugery ?
You might as well hold a aids awarness convention in a whore house.
In Arteta’s case it is an cash holding club is the greedy one. it is underpaying ARTETA while at the same time and making record profits.
Hold on a sec` lads ( I assume sharif and ant are !, I`ve met rasp and can vouch for him. 🙂 ) isn`t Arteta already handsomely paid ?, he may have taken a pay cut to move here, but wasn`t that offset by a longer contract ?. The money these players earn is obscene and you want to give them more !
Of course you are right. I`m sure he had it written in his contract that he only played average for £70k(?) per week over 4 years and if he played to a higher standard not expected of him, he would be paid more !.
I`m off to shop, but I`m only going to go down 7 isle`s , I may go down a couple more if Mrs glic offers to put some ice cream and chocolate in the trolley !.
Arsenal first, Spain second, put your feet up Mikel, relax, enjoy your two week break.
Arteta deserves alot from us, not just praises but a descent pay to precise. We need to appreciate good work by rewarding it well. Arteta & Carzola should retire at Arsenal, be assimilated in our training staff and become a legends of the club.
Rocky….quality player and a nice guy with it, but unfortunately in this world the nice guy don,t always win. I can’t see him getting a cap now, Spain have so much talent ini midfield I think his chance has slipped by, such a shame. He is well established in my circles as an Arsenal favourite.
Arsenals non capped players……..not sure if he got maybe 1 or 2….but what about Peter Simpson. Smashing player he was.
Only if we could win as many games as Barcelona and Spain do with Xavi……
Maybe this is the year….who knows?
Great read, Rocky…I’d be happy for Arteta to get the recognition he so deserves. ONCE. Then I’d like him to stay fit, please.
VCC
Now stop looking in the mirror , it ain`t gunner get any prettyer, so look back and see my Simpson comment !.
RL. Another fine post. Don’t agree at all unless it is a friendly in San Marino or Andorra.
More money …… Why not? He has been a model professional since his arrival.
Perry Groves didn’t get a cap.
GLiC……Terry sent me one of your mirrors, I looked into it once and it frightened the living daylights out of me. I now put it out on my front door on haloween. No one comes near my house now.
GLiC…….ner ner na ner ner.
BR……Perry Groves, now there’s a guy I love, Arsenal through and through. Have a read of his book.
James
Hasn`t he not got a 4 year contract, that probably finishes his career here !.
We moan about certain players being on good money and not fit to wear the shirt and nobody wants to take them off our hands because of their excessive high wage and you lot want to give someone on a long contract and probably last big one even more money !, has he demanded more money ?, are we not trying to run a self sustainable ship ?, are f**king mad ?. hahahaha
I know , lets put up the ticket prices to pay for the extra cash Arteta needs, poor soul , he must be struggling ! . hahahaha
He could always get a part-time job around my gaff, polishing my mirror`s ,( yes , more than one, I like to see a handsome bastard in every room ! ).
glic – put up ticket prices even more ?? We already pay the highest prices for tickets in the whole universe !!
Yeah! What a great call up it would be for d man and the national team itself. So far,there is no difference btwn d class of fabrepass and busquet which in my opinion is a junior player compare to my mikel ARTEKER.
Chary, Have I got to say this again ?
Not entirely correct, what about Uranus !. 🙂
Nice post Rocky. i prefer Arteta dosnt play for Spain. in fact i prefer if none of our players play for there countries, unless they need playing time, them ime all for it.
After my earlier escapades Ime looking for someone else to disagree with. Ant, what kind of silly comment is that. What you say? Arsenal make record profits, (after player trading and amortosation of course) and are underpaying Arteta? Gobleydeckook.
Nice thought, Rock, Arteta is an absolute star, in the true sense. He should have been capped by now, even with the great Spanish generation, but can’t see it happening with him already having turned 30.
Other quality uncapped Gooners: the best in my time has to be Paul Davis, but Stewart Robson runs him close. And John Lukic wasn’t bad either. Ian Allinson was useful for us but way off the pace for international caps. Perry Groves? What a star!
Didn’t think I would be commenting again, but the passionate arsenal fans have brought me back! The reason I said earlier he deserves a better contract; is only in comparison to other midfielders in the league getting paid a hell of a lot more…and not half as good or consistent as mikel. I agree it would be a nice reward to the man for his performances, but not practicle in the business sence given his age. I suppose I’m just sick to the stomach of losing OUR players we built and made ourselves, leaving for one simple reason…MONEY 😦 but at the same time respect the clubs policy of saying NO to the likes of the greedy dutchman.
Thanks for taking the time to place a follow up comment sharif. You are always welcome on the site.
The money issue is a difficult one. Theo is on record as having said that his reluctance to sign a new contract is not about money but more to do with his preferred position on the pitch – PHW said earlier in the week we have made him a very good offer which he has declined. Who knows where the truth lies?
Good comment sharif. If we can keep our squad together we have a great chance of winning things.
Rasp….do you believe PHW?
Terry….did you have a wager on The Arsenal?
Hi VCC, not entirely. I usually find his statements unhelpful to say the least, but he went up in my estimation over the BSR affair.
I still think it is often better to say nothing. I would assume that PHW does not feel the need to run anything he wishes to say past IG’s department and as such could be a loose cannon.
As far as Theo goes, I want him to stay. I’d like us to pay him as much as he’s worth ongoing, not what he was worth in the past. If we are changing our wage structure so that merit is more important than parity then he could be worth a bit more than £75k.
It is too simplistic to divide footballers into either mercenary or loyal categories. There will be many shades in between.
If someone decent offered to double my salary, I would leave because | do not feel particularly well valued by my employer. No Arsenal player should feel that way, because we have a fantastic club that really looks after people.
Am getting very excited about the thought of a midfield of Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere.
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha , see Total , it works !
VCC, of course. I got 14’s and have since lobbed on some more on us doing the quad at 275 to 1. Thats just a fun bet, dont thnk we will pull it off. The league is a real possibility though. You got 12’s didnt you?
Hi 26m, yes that midfield 3 would have everything except height – and that is one of the least important criteria for the position.
Having said that I can’t think of a suitable combined name (‘WilArtOrla?) and I wouldn’t be able to use my ‘Spanish Spine’ phrase 😕
Hi Terry. Yes indeed, I got 12-1, a bit premature unfortunately, but hey ho if we pull it off £50 x 12 will buy more than enough beers to celebrate. I think it’s a real possibility too, fingers crossed.
I can understand the ” premature ” bit VCC, as you do have one of my signed photo`s !. 😆
Stranger things have happened but on balance I think Arteta has missed the boat, most probably born 5 years to late to represent his country.
I would have said Peter Simpson as well.Anyway nice idea.
Very, very excited about Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshire, but when we need height and we do sometimes then Diaby has to be part of the equation.
VCC, hope it comes in. You deserve a bit of a luck. Tell you what, if it comes in lets buy Cornwall a trick mirror projecting our boats at him ever time he takes a butchers. He will love that. hahaha
Ha ha glic…you leave my backside out of this. 🙂
Too many of our players get injured in internationals. Better for Arsenal if he’s not chosen.
Peter Simpson certainly, John Radford (only 2 caps?), Bob Mc Nab (far too few) and Ray Kennedy (not capped when at Arsenal?)
VCC
Would you mind swapping that Handsome Bastards photo for two tickets Vs QPR ?.
Beyonce
Have you a head for height`s ? as it`s stuck on his bedroom ceiling !.
John. I agree – my 2 caps is a joke. Sniffer Clarke, Jeff Astle, Osgood, Chivers, Marsh, Summerbee all got more caps than me and none were as consistenly effective.
It was the fault of that ex- Spurs Alf Ramsey idiot.
Good Day Everyone
Thanks for the comments.
I didn’t expect many people to agree with me about a call-up for Mikky. Arsenal first and all that – which I fully understand.
It’s just that after the recent discussions we’ve been having about heroes, it dawned on me that he is probably the one player in the team right now that I think of as a “hero”. And, because I am a softie sentimentalist, I would like him one day to be able to tell his grandchildren that the two greatest achievements in his life were (1) winning the EPL and CL with Arsenal and (2) playing for his country.
There was quite a funny argument about paying him more money. As far as I know he hasn’t asked to renegotiate his deal so we can probably let that one lie 🙂
Nice comments from sharif though.
Excellent post, Rocky.
I always wish that none of our players would get called up for international duty, so I’d have to agree with the first part of the post more than the second.
By the way, I heard Olaf Ankelschnapper is available in January for only £25 million. He could be just the beast we are looking for as a DM. The trophies would surely follow if only we had the balls to spend £25 million on one player.
I understood that MA renegotiated his contract in June 2012.
Perhaps a more mature man doesn’t need pay parity for self worth. On the other hand, any family man will want the best for himself.
It delights me that AW has changed his transfer policy and brought adults who take responsibilty into the team. BFG, MA, CS, OG and Pod have radically changed the attitude of what was a rudderless side
Chas. I have added Ankleschnapper to my fantasy team.
I’ve been reading some really nice quotes from Santi Cazorla.
He talks about how much he relishes the responsibility he has been given at Arsenal and how coming to us is a step forward in his career.
And he is very complimentary about Arteta, saying how everyone in the dressing room listens when he speaks and that the players look to him as a natural leader.
(You can find the full quotes on NewsNow)
hahaha, i was a bit of an ankleschnapper in my time. I remember one game in particular down hackney marshes when we were playing top of the league “psychotic paranoia of Ilford”. They had a realy speedy and psychosis driven winger. i pounced on him and took a good firm bite on his ankle. He was screaming and calling out for his medication but i wouldnt let go.
They finaly got me off after several of the psycho boys had booted me in the face and a couple of there deranged dogs had taken a bit out of me.
And ime available at 25 pence. Bargain hey? hahaha
Didnt MA take a pay cut to play for us on the understanding the contract would be renegotiated after a year? Which apparently it was?
Sounds like a great guy to have around.
Uncapped players? Simpson certainly.. Charlie George only getting the one cap? Radford only two? Armstrong as mentoioned and I suspect there were a few players in the 50s who didnt get capped but should have. I didnt see the team but just looking at stats.. Cliff Holton comes to mind.
I suspect Jenkinson will get a call up soon.
Terry. Iam sure I played against you on the Marshes. Many years ago I played right wing for Psychotic Paranoia of Ilford – we preferred to be called PPI.
You may recall we won the league with Bedwetters and Nailbiters ( B&N) coming 2nd. And your team The Onanists trailing in a very sorry 3rd. I still have the medal
BR, Terry
That’s such a coincidence!
I used to play on the Marshes for Schizophrenia Thistle. We finished 5th and 12th.
hahaha, i thought that was you Raddy. Hows your ankle?
Hope we didnt upset you and your team mates too much when at the final whistle we indulged our after match ritual of onanisation on the pitch. hahaha
I remember you Rocky In the first half you were a perfect gentelman, calming everything down and even apologising when you committed a foul. Dont know what got into you but second half you threatened to kill the ref, demanded satisfaction from our goalkeepers wife, and finished the game running around with your shorts over your face. hahaha
Somehow, it seems, we’ve all accepted as fact the notion that there are too many world class players in Spain and thus Arteta doesn’t get a place. But watching him over the last two years, he seems at least as good as their defensive midfielders and can slot in for either Alonso or Busquets. The only advantage those guys have is that they’re used to being with the national side and know the system whereas Arteta will take a while ( a very short one mind) to gel.
I’d hoped the manager would bring him into the squad at least for a friendly just to see how he plays while training with that exceptionally talented bunch. I have a feeling Arteta will be even better when surrounded by so many gifted players. We’ve already seen how well he links with Cazorla, for instance. These days I wonder if there’s something beyond footballing abilities that is keeping Arteta from getting a call up.
Of course, the selfish Gooner in me wants to keep him as far away from international football as possible and is not amused by repeated talk of Gibbs/Jenkinson playing for England but this is a reality we have to accept. When a player is that good he deserves wider recognition.
Agree with the post wholeheartedly, I guess that must have been obvious.
Haha Terry
We were on a high for that game, because the previous week we’d had a 115-Nil victory over Agoraphobics Athletic. They wouldn’t leave the changing room.
Thanks Desi
As you say, it goes against our “Arsenal first” instincts, but I would be very happy for MA if he got a call-up.
hahahaha. We had a game like that Rocky. Playing OCD United, they spent the whole game chasing the ref round the pitch trying to count the number of stitches on his shirt. They chased him into the changing rooms, into the car park, and then a Car chase pursued. The ref in his ford cortina and 11 OCD boys in a ford fiesta. We won the game 1-0. hahaha
Superb. From such little acorns ……..:-D
Terry hahaha
Unfortunately our crunch match against Kleptomania Town had to be called off. Someone had pinched the goal posts.
I remember watching the schizos down Hackney Marshes, when they played the Bedwetters.
Rocky had a great shot which might have been a goal, and when it wasn’t given he screamed at the ref, “That was a goal ref you ‘king ‘unt!!” and then said “That’s bollix, it wasn’t even close”. I just didn’t know which of him to agree with ….. and nor did I.
Schizos, eh? There’s no pleasing us … er them, I mean.
Brilliant Redders 🙂
Redders, Rocky
I know that someone will tell me off for this, but there is something terribly ammusing by that sort of two brained behaviour. I cant stop laughing at the minute. hahahaha
Hi Rocky, I also like Arteta to play for Spain at least once for sentimental reasons. Have you guys seen a transcript of the recent conversation between him and Cazorla on this subject? Arteta sounded quite disappointed about being left out. I think this was reported in some news blog today.
Hi Desi, to me his omission is a matter of inertia. Spain is quite successful with the current team. The manager has no incentive to tinker, I think. Given the comparatively limited opportunities national teams have to practice together, I think even appearances in friendly would only be possible if there are injuries.
I played against a team of Nymphomaniacs on Hackney Marshes, actually it was me by myself armed with five mirrors as the rest of the team wanted to get their monies worth by getting two games for the price of one whilst watching the Schizo XXII. Back at my game, we/I was well and trully rogered and after ten minutes, I had to substitute five of my mirrors with five more !.
Rock My Boat, was that your first trip into the American Rockies?
On my first trip to Banff I fully expected the trees to be a different color and the wolves to howl with a Canadian accent.
I have previously recounted my unfortunate encounter with a homoerotic Elk ….. or looking back from a safe distance, and that might just be a freudian slip, it might have been a randy Elf … but my experience with the grizzly was probably a little overstated.
I thought it was about 100 to 150 yards distance from me, but my buddy when I spoke to him last night, recalled it was closer to a quarter of a mile away. He should know because I figure he broke Usain Bolt’s 200 metre Olympic sprint when he lit out and left me to my own devices!! bast*rd! 🙂
TT
I saw those quotes. And MA has been quoted before as saying he has not given up hope of being capped for his country.
You’re probably right about the inertia thing. His best chance is if we win the league or the CL. It would be hard for them to ignore him then.
GLiC
“Schizo XXII” 🙂
Redders
I was East Coast (Vermont) – so no danger of grizzlies, thankfully. Mind you, a black bear would be enough to get me doing my own version of the Usain Shuffle.
Terry, I have half a mind to give you a piece of my mind for that comment. 🙂
hahahaha, ive got to stop reading the posts. Ime finding everyone of them funny, even the serious ones. hahahaha
Could you imagine an attack which consists of arteta, wilshere,cazorla,cesc,nasri,van persie and podolski! We could of had them all playing in the same team! Its a crazy thought…. Oh well, In wenger we trust.
Shariff,
That sounds good on the face of it, but it would be like having an army full of generals and no one to do the donkey work…… or make the tea! 🙂
Is someone making tea?
Thanks for asking Rock, I’ll have a coffee, please! 🙂
All this mad stuff takes me back to the time when I was dating the conjoined twins , Mandy and Sharron. If you remember I was dating Mandy or was it Sharron ?, it was hard to tell, especially when in front of a mirror !.
You can imagine, it was hard going in the love life stakes, Sharron would just lay there and watch TV , read a book or snore her head off whilst I took Mandy to heaven and back.
It got even more complicated when me and Sharron started to have feelings for each other aswell. I suppose it was inevitable that I would start seeing Sharron behind Mandy`s back. First it was just the little glance, then the loves letters, followed by the love making whilst Mandy was asleep !.
It all came to a terrible end. And one day I arrived at their home and was confronted with site of Sharrons dead head. Mandy was crying , as she read the suicide note. Sharron had strangled herself in her sleep .
The funeral was weird, cremation was out of the question as was burial. The least I could do was arrange a bespoke one foot cube coffin, I also helped Mandy carry the coffin on our shoulders.
We had come up with a solution for the future , I spent weeks walking backwards and forwards in the waiting room of a local award winning Taxidermist.
When Mandy finally walked through the door with the stuffed Sharron, I couldn`t believe it !. I couldn`t tell the difference between them !.
That was quite a while ago and we all get along fine now. I have even been on a double date with them, with me and Stretch .
Stretch will now be shocked to find out that Sharron is stuffed, he was well happy, as he thought he had met the next Mrs Mancini. one who done everything he wanted and kept quiet !.
Mind you , knowing Stretch , he will still be up for it !.
Tea made and drunk. Thankfully the sun has passed the yardarm and I have poured a cheeky 2007 Amarone. Next BR has to persuade Mrs Raddy to take her turn in the kitchen.
glic. You have too much time on your hands.or was it the chemicals at the poodle parlour?
Sharrons stuffed?? Why didnt you bloody tell me?? Oh well, no ones perfect. Whens the next double date ? hahaha
Raddy
I had great time picking Max up. A chap there is a Gooner, we had a long chat. He doesn`t get up much now since he moved to Cornwall. He used to live in Bristol and come up with the South Wales fans. Next time I`ll tell him about AA.
Stretch
The moaning and groaning ?, that was Mandy, she`s a ventriloquist !.
“he doesn’t get up much now” ?? hahaha. does he nedd some of them pills that pele and john terry take?
I sometimes think that the rest of the crew think me and you are on the pills ! hahaha
Cornwall, did you read in the current bun last week about that welsh geezer who got nicked for making love to a tractor? He pleaded guilty and the judge ordered that he stay a five mile radius away from any farms. He was also banned from possesing any castor oil. hahahaha
If Arteta had been playing for our club a few years before, he probably would have been much more recognized, and also, he has excelled in his deeper role for us…his statistics for this season are remarkable– so, a few years younger, and he would have made the cut for Spain.. i think he did receive a salary bump in the off season- i remember there was talk..
hahaha I heard he`s currently engaged to a combine harvester !.
Lets make some hay baby !.
It will be some weird stag do, what with the strip-a-gram plough !
Yes, hes currently harvesting his oats through a combinaton of machine and man. The fact that he is doing this dastardly deed in flagrent disregard of a court ruling excites his hismachinations even further.
BTW. Going back to the subject.
A cap does give recognition unless it is an England cap.
Let us recall that David Bentley (who?) has 7 (yes seven) England caps.
The man is obviously a nightmare. I mean, would you trust this machinist around your car? The temptation must be unbearable. What happens when he sees a porche or something? hahaha
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the joining of Dai Young and John Deere in the presence of God !………………………….
Jeffers got one!!
Playing for England is not what it used to be Raddy. I think this has a lot to do with the amount of inuries in the modern game and the hugh influx of players from around the globe plying there trade in the premeir league. A smaller pool of players to choose from, constantly unavailable through injury means a lot of weak players receive caps.
…………………………………………..If there is anybody present who doesn`t approve of this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace……………………………………..beep, beep, beep, beep,beep …….
TMHT. True but it is still an England cap which means you represent your country in it’s national game. The most popular game in the world.
It is tragic what has happened to the English football, To see journeymen like Barry and Milner getting cap after cap ….. I blame a mixture of Margaret Thatcher and Jose Mourinho.
There`s something on newsnow, saying Koz has got a serious knee injury, with France squad. Dont know how good the source is. 😦
hahaha, yes, that thatcher and mourinho have a lot to answer for.
Its ironic that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, often portrayed in the past as damaging english football and branded a disgrace for not fielding any english players, could yet prove to be Englands saviour.
Wilshere, Chamberlin, Gibbs, Jenkinson, and hopefuly many others to follow, could be the bedrock of a top class England team. That would be fantastic.
Did the club not have seven starters for England in the 1930’s? Makes me feel like saying……”The Ghosts of the 30’s are stiring”
He had to be carried of the pitch. If its serious, then its a terrible blow for us.
Dont forget Theo ! 🙂
Oh yeah. hahaha. freudian slip.
As said before, I`d rather we had no international players. It seems a common occurence when our players join up.
Cornwall, you do realise we are talking about football? keep it going, you say something next.
So Jenks, Ox, Theo, Jack, Gibbo, I hope Hodgson thinks your shit !. 🙂
I have noticed that, especially on the blogs – tho’ that is not representative – there is a distinct disgruntlement when international games come around and disturb the frisson we all get from watching our respective clubs.
It goes further, it seems to a biased onlooker, that many English guys I know are apathetic to people like Terry, Cole, Lampard and co.
Now that is probably because footie has become even more tribal and partisan.
Great shame tho’ – it is the national team after all!
Cornwall, i totally agree. it always seems to be our players that get injured. bit of a joke
hahaha Whats wrong with us ?. hahaha
thats true Redders. There is also a disconnect with the players and fans. Along with the money, players, at least it seems to me, have become detached from reality
Going back to Terry’s point earlier (stop sniggering GLiC), I would guess that there are many more international manages these days than there used to be.
Could be wrong though.
*international matches
If it was possible to select an England team, without reference to the current crowd, is there any other players that could do better or at least unite the nation behind them?
I would look at far more young guys. The experience, especially in friendly or ‘dead’ games would eventually pay off and could not be much worse than the dire stuff usually served up.
Too much media and fan pressure on the manager – any of the managers, past or present – to even think of doing that.
Kozzer injured?
OK, I retract my Post. I hope Mikki never plays for Spain!
There`s only one way to stop our players from being called up …………………………………we declare war on everyone !.
Right , I`m off for a sausage sarnie and to draw up a list of who we shall invade, probably only the countries who have Arsenal players. After my sausage sarnie, I shall invade Devon, armed with my mirrors !.
Adios Glicster
Time for Djourou to step up, possibly… (as the spare CB on the bench!).
Roma are rumoured (?) to be interested in buying Djourou in January.
His agent denies there is any truth in the rumour — so he’s off then!
Injury News: Koscielny injures knee in France training
October 11, 2012
According to reports from France, Gunners centre back Laurent Koscielny has ‘seriously’ injured his knee during Frances training session ahead of their friendly with Japan this week.
The 27-year-old apparently collided with Franck Ribery and was helped off the pitch by two physios. The extent of the injury is still unknown.
The news comes at a bad time for the French international as he had looked promising to start both of Frances upcoming matches during the break, and including the fixture against Spain next week.
Fingers crossed the injury is not too serious and he is available for the Gunners in over a weeks time and France coach Didier Deschamps doesn’t play him unnecessarily and he end up on the treatment table like Diaby.
Oh no, Rocky, so much for wishing players are called up for their country …………. it’s just a lose lose …………….. 😦 😦
It’s a bloody friendly aswell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was hurt in training Peaches – I don’t think he even made it as far as the friendly!
What I mean is that he was hurt in training and the game against Japan is only a friendly ………………
Obviously he could have just as easily have been hurt in any training session but it’s a right pain in the you know where 🙂
Koscielny!! What a nightmare!
Cracking post Rocky I used to hate watching Arteta playing for Everton against us, he used to buy free kicks to disrupt our flow, now I love him for it 🙂
It is possible to move between clubs with class, just seems so many of ours can’t!
Why hasn’t De Jong or Van Bommel kicked BSR yet?
Well that is a fine start to the Interlull…. FFS
If I were Hodgson I would get rid of Cole, Ferdinand, Barry, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner, etc etc
Here is a team (though not all fit ATM)
Hart
Richards Cahill Lescott Gibbs
JW Ox Cleverley
Theo Wellbeck Rooney
OK there are some Dirty Mancs in there and maybe some Arsenal bias but this is a team which could win stuff.
I can see Bendtner coming back in January unlessAFC have secured a season’s loan. He isn’t even getting on the bench at Juve.
Shame for the big galloop but perhaps we can offload Chamakh and find a place for him.
Lance Armstrong – drugs cheat. His whole team have testified that they used drugs. I remember being amazed that he had got back onto a bike after his cancer and won the Tour de France – what a sham
There seems to be some hope that it’s only an impact injury after a collision with Ribery.
He walked off the pitch with help which might be a good sign.
http://bit.ly/QSJCxL
Bendy just needs a personality transplant and he could be a fine player. I was hoping having a family might have been good for him.
The commentator laughing got me on this one.
chas .Nik seems to have calmed down in the last year, kept his nose clean and spent as much time with his son as possible. Plus ,his personality never stopped him working hard on the pitch.
The fact that Juve don’t play him is hardly a positive sign. Perhaps he is just not good enough.
Apparently kozzers injury is only a scare and he’s available for France’s games against Japan and Spain. Hopefully the dutch twat will get twatted.
I didn’t know that, BR.
That’s good news.
I always thought he didn’t try hard enough on the pitch but maybe it was just a small deficit of talent, as you say.
Juve saying he was unfit was surprising. How can a 24 year old professional sportsman be unfit?
NikB for Denmark always looks to be the main man unfortunately it his self opinion which gives him a problem. I thought a year at Sunderland might bring him down a peg or two but unfortunately not. I doubt Juve are paying much of his wages.
By the way, if anyone is interested to read what went on in Lance Armstrong’s team I recommend a book called “The Secret Race”. It was writen by one of Armstrong’s team mates called Tyler Hamilton and published as recently as a month ago.
Most people understandably do not realise that the Tour de France for example is competed for by teams, I say understandably because from the outside it seems like the first one across the line wins, this is true but no one can get across the line first without the help of his team.
It’s something akin to a striker getting all the attention for scoring the winning goal but the reality, as we all know, is that he could never win the match without the rest of his team.
Anyway, 26 and BR you will both like this book.
Oh NO!!! Niow Barca will say he has Catalan DNA and steal him from us next season!!!! Or, worse still, City will say they’ll like another midfielder to add to their trophy case and buy him, have him stuffed by a taxidermist and display him in their trophy case!!!
curve ball!!! put him in an england shirt!?!?! lol he does qualify!
Haha Wardy
I’d love him in an England shirt but apparently the story a while back saying he was eligible turned out to be wrong. He doesn’t qualify because he didn’t spend enough years here before he was 18 (or something like that).
Thanks Rocky, and mmm.
Bit of fence sitting from me here. I’m sure Arteta wouldn’t view the odd cap from friendlies too fondly as I think they would appear tokenish. Clearly, an International career has passed him by. So I think my answer would be that if he would value the odd cap now then “yes”, but if not, then cotton wool and a holiday.
Some people are just bitter……………
Chas
Ha ha 🙂
And good morning.
Guess who?
http://twitpic.com/b31051/full
RA ?
Or Gerv?
Micky,
The comment under the video was this….
You may have beat us hammers but I had the last laugh!!
The photo is RA, how did you know?
Posh Spice?
The hairline!
Micky,
It’s a relief to see you here this a.m. 🙂
There were rumours, last night, that Cornwall was going to invade Devon. (Well an ex-pat Londoner, to be specific). You must have seen him off!!
Morning Chazzer, 🙂
Me? 🙂
RA,
I knew that comment would unearth you from your slumber.
Me, too.
Well, was it Gerv?
Morning all, like Wardy one of my thoughts was could he play for England. If Almunia could, why couldn’t Mikel?
But then he has only actually lived in England since 2005 which is only 7 years I don’t think that’s enough to qualify.
GIE,
I agree with you – he should play for England and replace that useless Wilshire!! 🙂
As you said, Micky, the hairline was a bit of a giveaway.
How much planning has to go into a plaited version of a combover?
As Rocky said…..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8961817.stm
I happened to be minding my own business yesterday, when TalkSport crept up on me, and a ‘phone in’ whinger was waxing eloquent about the lack of English players in the EPL.
“Take Arsenal, for example. You name me one English player in their team? That’s the problem, right there, nobody available to play for England. Go ahead, name me one English player they have.”
Silence and tumble weed blew thru the studio.
What about Gibbs, I yelled, what about Wilshere, have you completely lost it – what about Theo, or maybe you have not noticed the most improved full back in the country – Corporal Jenks?
Everyone says TalkSport is crap but they are not alone in having poor commentators/presenters.
Ooer, I was just about to bore you guys some more when a sexy lady showed me her ‘flexi bra’ at the bottom of the page. I must go and buy one, immediately! Wassat all abart?
What I was going to say is that I arise about 6 a.m. most mornings, but by the time I have a shower, coffee, scratch my ass and amble down to buy a newspaper it’s 7:30.
Now you guys either get up earlier or, heaven forfend, you are still in your beds blogging away like heroes! 🙂
(Of course GIE does not go to bed – do you think there is something of the night about him??) 🙂
GIE is a werewolf.
The only problem is, is that he forgets to change back.
I don’t understand bra comment. Can you see adverts?
RA I do sleep, just not for long, nicotine withdrawal wakes me after about 6 hours 🙂
And then whilst my espresso is making and I’m having my morning ciggy I blog 🙂
I was going to say the same Chas …. about the ads….although I have ad blocker on laptop and desktop.
But iPhone doesn’t have the facility so would see them on there, but again don’t.
Fear RA may have worms 🙂
No worms, I have taken the tablets! 🙂
At the bottom of WordPress there are adverts on both AA and Bergkampesque.
Once I go to ‘Leave a Reply’ they disappear.
If you lot haven’t noticed the P&O Cruise Lines, Australian Cowan University and Berlei Bra (?) Adds they are wasting their money on me!! 🙂
RA,
I use Adblock, too, so was just wondering.
Just a brief update on the Adds, it allows you to press the icon to ‘Hide’ them, but KLM Airlines was pleading with me to buy their cheap tickets and I did not have the heart to make them disappear! 🙂 Anyway, the bra lady is due back anytime now!! 🙂
Morning all
New Post ……………………….
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