indi Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 England call-up interests Spanish-born Mikel Arteta Everton's Spanish-born midfielder Mikel Arteta says he would consider a call-up to play for England. The 28-year-old former Rangers player has been resident in England since joining Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005, earning him British citizenship. "If one day the opportunity comes obviously I would have to consider it very seriously," Arteta told BBC Sport. Despite impressing in the Premier League, Arteta has never played an international game for Spain. England coach Fabio Capello was in the stands at Goodison Park to see Arteta play for Everton in the 1-1 draw with Wolves, during which the midfielder showed sparks of the creativity that has made him so important to David Moyes' side. When asked about the possibility of England selection Arteta replied: "I don't know what his [Capello's] thoughts are. "I know some people have been talking about it, but I haven't said anything yet because the offer is not there at the moment." Arteta is not the only native Spaniard plying his trade in the Premier league who is open to the prospect of a call-up to Capello's national squad. Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia revealed that he had not ruled out the possibility of a representing England, where he has been a resident since joining the Gunners from Celta Vigo in 2004. Both Almunia and Arteta have a tough task breaking their way into the World Cup-winning Spain squad. Almunia faces competition from Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas and Liverpool's Pepe Reina, while Arteta would need to battle his way into one of the strongest midfields in world football, in which even Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas does not figure regularly. After being sidelined for a year between February 2009 and February 2010 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Arteta has since returned to the Everton side and excelled in their midfield. At Goodison Park on Saturday, Tim Cahill rewarded Everton for their first half superiority by giving them a half-time lead but Wolves improved after the break and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake earned the visitors a deserved draw. "We should have taken our chances early in the game," said Arteta. "With only one goal lead you always risk conceding a goal. "I thought we controlled the game and did enough to earn the three points but Wolves got a goal on the counter-attack and took two points away from us." It means Everton are still without a victory this season after their 1-0 opening day defeat at Blackburn. "Two games and only one point is not good enough for us," added Arteta. "We need to start winning and getting points because there are big teams ahead of us who are winning." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8934261.stm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 As part of a major overhaul and the introduction of other younger English players, I'd have no problem tbh. He'd add a lot to the England midfield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Doesn't sit right for me like. Saying that, he would improve England massively. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Almunia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Total bollocks. He's Spanish so he can fuck off ta. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Certainly speaks better English than the rest of the usual squad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Certainly speaks better English than the rest of the usual squad. Less of a cunt aswell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'd certainly like to see Arteta under a different manager than Fabio for England. But there would be no point with Fabio's 100%ers especially in central mid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Aye but he's Spanish. I think that's the kicker really. Gracias but no gracias. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'm sure there is a 'gentlemen's agreement' in place that stops players like Arteta playing for England. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Don't think Spain cared too much about Senna being Brazilian when they won the Euros. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 He would only consider us because simply, he's not good enough for Spain. That doesn't sit right with me. All of this talk of the next manager being English, foreign imports in the Premiership blocking young English talent, this will never happen in a million years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'm sure there is a 'gentlemen's agreement' in place that stops players like Arteta playing for England. What, good ones? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'd take him, don't give a shit tbh, if the home office say he's english that's good enough for me. Germany's squad is full of turks and polish and a Brazillian I belive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'm sure there is a 'gentlemen's agreement' in place that stops players like Arteta playing for England. Yes there is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Don't think Spain cared too much about Senna being Brazilian when they won the Euros. Or Portugal, Deco. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Gentlemen's agreement means naff all though, really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I think I'm not bothered. No, I'm sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Don't think Spain cared too much about Senna being Brazilian when they won the Euros. Or Portugal, Deco. Tunisia won the ACN with a Brazilian as their topscorer, also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Obviously Arteta is fucking awesome and I'd love him to play for England Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gash Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'd rather see Johnson/Wilshere playing ahead of him tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 No thanks, even though he's a very good player and other countries do it, the cricket team does it etc etc. Just wouldn't sit right with me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'd rather see Johnson/Wilshere playing ahead of him tbh. Me too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Michael Johnson? You seen him lately? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I'd rather see Johnson/Wilshere playing ahead of him tbh. Me too. I'd like them to feature, but why not Arteta? We need to think outside the box, if Germany, Portugal etc.. bring in ringers why can't we? It should helkp boost technical ability and drag us to the next level (maybe) Alumini is a no starter, Hart is twice the keeper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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