Should Arteta Play For England?

I don't see the problem. Those using the patriotic argument - get off your high horse, really. Times have changed.

He'd be a great addition to the England squad.

Well were going to allow Spanish, Italian & Germans in the England team, then we may aswell send out F***ing Chelsea, thats the point I'm getting at mate.

Its the England National team for a reason, Now if your raised and Educated in England then no problem regardless of race/ Nationality.

But come on move to England in late 20's and represent the National side, its farcical mate and makes a mockery of a National teams identity.

I've never heard the Kop sing racist songs about John Barnes when he signed for Liverpool, I've heard he got one or two people shouting things when we played Celtic in a friendly, in which other fans quietened them down, but I can't recall Barnesey getting abuse on his home debut against Oxford or any other games at Anfield after that.

Then I suggest you read Out of His Skin: The John Barnes Phenomenon: Amazon.co.uk: Dave ...
The book covers the life of Barnes at the club, the racism he suffered and also ... This is a controversial book and Liverpool supporters may find this very ...
www.amazon.co.uk › Books › Biography › Sport › Football - Cached - Similar

I'm sure you cheered him on as an Englishman RLB.

So i say why not? He's passed the requirement to be an English citizen. If this wasn't football and he gained citizenship to add to his community then he'd be accepted so if he can do it on a footballing stage the go for it.

Then I suggest you read Out of His Skin: The John Barnes Phenomenon: Amazon.co.uk: Dave ...
The book covers the life of Barnes at the club, the racism he suffered and also ... This is a controversial book and Liverpool supporters may find this very ...
www.amazon.co.uk › Books › Biography › Sport › Football - Cached - Similar

Read and got it, there was also interviews on telly as far as I remember, were he spoke of a couple of fans in the Kemlyn Road who continously gave him grief, that as far as I remember, is not the Kop.

Of course I cheered him on, I'm patrotic not F***ing Racist mate and I take that comment as an offence to be honest.

John Barnes is one of my favourite players to ever grace the game and as a Liverpool fan I find the comment absolutely F***ing disgusting to be honest.

I cheer on Reina, Agger Skrtel Aurelio Masch Lucas Jova Maxi Kuyt Nando etc etc week in and week out, however that does not mean they should play for England.

Chill mate. Was just saying, if you can cheer a Jamaican as an Englishman, you can cheer a Spaniard as one too.

Get your knickers ironed out, fella.

Chill mate. Was just saying, if you can cheer a Jamaican as an Englishman, you can cheer a Spaniard as one too.

Get your knickers ironed out, fella.

Well my apologies, it didn't read like that, perhaps you'd have been better of saying that.

But yes I have cheered Barnes both for Liverpool and England and yes being born in Kingston means he is Jamaican but granted when Barnes last played for England I was around 16 so maybe my patriocism hadn't kicked in, however I still believe National teams are for National "English" players as if its a Spanish Player today, Its a German tomorrow and then the England side all of a sudden becomes a multi cultural side, very much in the same way I would like to see Pacheco represent Spain not England.

Barnes was raised in England and played in the UK his whole career that was a little different, Owen Hargreaves, I never agreed with him being in the England squad for the very same reasons I don't think Arteta should play. I also said the same about the Arsenal keeper when they spoke about him too.

But Hargreaves officially qualified having an English father and seeing himself as an Englishman. If Arteta can play for England with dedication (probably more passionate than some of the English players like Lampard) then that's a big plus point

I can understand why you feel that way. I remember Johnathon De Guzman choosing to play for the Dutch instead of Canada, like his brother, and the Canadians were livid.

But most of the time, the situation blows over. Senna for the Spanish for example.

Just on the Germans though, they have the choice and they chose Germany simply for the glory of being in the team. Lets be honest, Turkey is not as strong as them.

It's the same deal with the great Christian Vieri. He grew up in Australia, Italian heritage and then got signed up by an Italian team and played for Italy, successfully. What happened to his brother. He played for Australia.

I can understand why you feel that way. I remember Johnathon De Guzman choosing to play for the Dutch instead of Canada, like his brother, and the Canadians were livid.

Yeah, he kind of screwed himself over there. Very talented player but had a bad streak of injuries, never ended up playing for the dutch national team. Real Mallorca just signed him this summer actually. From what I understand he's still elligible for the Canadian team, but he can't really change his mind can he, or well he could but how would the Canadians react.

Your right mate. He's done on the international stage, you'd think. Poor lad. Not like he'd experience much joy with Canada anyway

No.

He's Spanish!

I'm sorry, but that stuff about Germany realising that trick was the only way to get back to the top is bullshit. That trick as you call it only applies to Cacau, to no other of their players.

Indeed, the rest were either born to German parents or born and raised in Germany.  It was quite annoying hearing that crap the whole of the world cup.

As for Arteta, if he had grown up thinking, I really want to play for England, then fine.  But he didn't.  He grew up thinking I hope one day I can play for Spain but unfortunately happened to be a great Spanish player in a world-class generation.  Not that I care though, it's only England.

No matter what you think FIFA says no.

Fifa rule ends Mikel Arteta's England ambitions

Mikel Arteta's hopes of playing for England look likely to end in failure because of a little known Fifa rule.
Born in Spain, the 28-year-old Everton midfielder had hoped to qualify for England after completing five years residency in the United Kingdom.

However, because Arteta has played for Spain at junior level, he would have had to have held a British passport at the same time in order to be eligible. ........................ ...................
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8961817.stm

Oh well, never saw it happening anyway.

Locked.