Jack Wilshere

[1989]

How does Jack feel about Ivorian born Zaha playing for England then? Or Berahino for the U-21's, or Muamba before him?

Despite what he said he'd probably have no problem with Zaha, Berahino or Muamba, but would draw the line at Januzaj. That would be the sensible approach anyway.

Why draw the line at Januzaj? If he accepts the aforementioned 3 playing for England, despite all of them being born elsewhere and therefore in his eyes not 'true' Englishmen, then surely he shouldn't have any problems with Januzaj either?

These comments just add to my growing suspicion of Jack being incredibly thick.

If its the same as me I think there's a massive difference. The lads you mentioned moved here when young, Zaha was only 4 when he came here and the other 2 moved to seek asylum. England took the latter two in and ensured their safety, they spent a lot of their formative years here and became men in this country. They'd be proud to represent the country that took them in and gave them safety. Not sure why Zaha's family moved here but whatever the reason he's been here since being a toddler, all of his education came in England, he knows nothing else, as far as I'm concerned he's English.

Januzaj, however, didn't move early in his life and he certainly didn't come here to escape persecution and to ensure his safety, he moved so that he could become a professional footballer for Manchester United at the age of 15. That's where I draw the line personally.

Personally I see that as an outdated, almost dogmatic view on the situation. For example, Jack says if he lives in Spain for 5 years he won't play for Spain. Well that's what Marcos Senna did and guess what, he ended up playing for them and better yet, helped them win their first major tournament since 1982 (Euro 2008) to kickstart a period of domination at international level for the country. If Spain with their embarrassment of talent would take a foreigner in their national team, why is it right for England to say no to a player who came to the country at 15 (as opposed to Senna who went to Spain in his 20's) and may potentially become top class and aid England's international chances?

[skipper]

Thats Jack's name off Mo Farahs Arsenal shirt then.

[safcftm]

Personally I see that as an outdated, almost dogmatic view on the situation. For example, Jack says if he lives in Spain for 5 years he won't play for Spain. Well that's what Marcos Senna did and guess what, he ended up playing for them and better yet, helped them win their first major tournament since 1982 (Euro 2008) to kickstart a period of domination at international level for the country. If Spain with their embarrassment of talent would take a foreigner in their national team, why is it right for England to say no to a player who came to the country at 15 (as opposed to Senna who went to Spain in his 20's) and may potentially become top class and aid England's international chances?

If Spain want to do that then that's their prerogative but I'd hope that England wouldn't try to (as I see it) bend the rules in that way. Januzaj has no affiliation to England, he shouldn't represent the English national team, I'd see it as a sham (and it could potentially open the door for bribery where promising youngsters are promised money if they choose to play for one national side over another). I wouldn't base any decisions on what the Spanish do to be honest, I'd rather we stuck to investing in grass roots football and trying to improve the national team that way, if they want to take anyone who rocks up in Spain for a while then good luck to them, its not for me though and I'd hope that England wouldn't be desperate enough to go down that road.

[goonersid]

How does Jack feel about Ivorian born Zaha playing for England then? Or Berahino for the U-21's, or Muamba before him?

Despite what he said he'd probably have no problem with Zaha, Berahino or Muamba, but would draw the line at Januzaj. That would be the sensible approach anyway.

Why draw the line at Januzaj? If he accepts the aforementioned 3 playing for England, despite all of them being born elsewhere and therefore in his eyes not 'true' Englishmen, then surely he shouldn't have any problems with Januzaj either?

These comments just add to my growing suspicion of Jack being incredibly thick.

Only a suspicion ?

[I Hate Hleb]

Jesus Christ!! It's not bad enough that we have gooners setting up dubiously subjected threads slating one of our best players, it's now being used for no reason other than to throw insults at his supposed lack of intelligence - all because he responded to something asked which probably the majority of English football followers would agree with!! Seriously, you guys are embarrassing yourselves a lot more than you claim Jack is!!

[nut flush gooner]

Jesus Christ!! It's not bad enough that we have gooners setting up dubiously subjected threads slating one of our best players, it's now being used for no reason other than to throw insults at his supposed lack of intelligence - all because he responded to something asked which probably the majority of English football followers would agree with!! Seriously, you guys are embarrassing yourselves a lot more than you claim Jack is!!

What you think most england fans are bothered about where our players are born??? Next time Mo Farah picks up a gold medal and play homage to the arsenal be proud not embarased as I am for your last post.

Wilshire is a prize eejit, he needs to worry about improving his form this season than who is eligible to play for England. And yes he needs to work on the basics, like how to speak in an articulate manner rather than come across as a chavvy ignoramous.

[afcforever]

Jesus Christ!! It's not bad enough that we have gooners setting up dubiously subjected threads slating one of our best players, it's now being used for no reason other than to throw insults at his supposed lack of intelligence - all because he responded to something asked which probably the majority of English football followers would agree with!! Seriously, you guys are embarrassing yourselves a lot more than you claim Jack is!!

Well said, this thread is a joke.

[Rosie_titters]

Thats Jack's name off Mo Farahs Arsenal shirt then.

Mo is allowed, because he is good.

other countries seem to be doing it, we should follow suit, Klose and Podolski were both Polish born, but rather play for Germany..

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

His latest comments merely confirm the guy is an idiot.
I wonder what John Barnes would make of that statement.

Apart from one great goal against Brazil John Barnes was shit for England, I too wish he hadn't played for us, for his shitness not his nationality, great club player shit international player end of.

ALL players comments are jumped upon in this day and age, I couldn't give a fuck what any of them say tbh and I don't know why supposedly bright people do, move along, nothing to see here

Going along this theme, I don't care who they supported as kids, what their political view is, whether they kiss the badge or not, what they think about global warming, shit, they could run around in high heels, suspenders and a g-rope at the weekend for all I care, I care what they do on the pitch for 90 minutes for Arsenal.

That being said, at the monent Jack could do with quitting smoking and getting fit

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Footballer makes dullard remarks shocker!!



No problem with his statement tbh as it got to a silly level with Oireland under Charlton where if you owned an Oirish Setter you qualified!

But those are really stupid outdated remarks about "foreigners" and the "brave English" as if being a scrappy player is something to treasure ahead of technical ability. Unfortunately that view encapsulates exactly why Ingerland haven't won the world cup since 66 and never will until they improve the technical ability of their players.

This "put down" of the Irish national team used to really really piss me off mainly because of the total and absolute hypocrisy of it all - the piss taking was initiated by the media uk and for me they totally ignored the numerous examples similar situations in english sport and it was largely used to belittle the Irish teams "achievements" under Big Jack. I never really had a problem with the grandparent rule as long as players didnt use playing for Ireland as some sort of consolation price/last resort. We had players like townsend, houghton and big Mick McCarthy who would have run through brick walls whilst representing us and I contrast that to the attitude of wankers like keane and stephen ireland who are born and bred Irish but who treated the national team like they were above it

I can understand the logic of england wanting only english players (surely a country of it's size should be able to produce 20+ players of the required level) but I can never understand the logic (on sunday supplement frequently of late) that the english manager should always be english - shouldnt the main requirement be that the best man gets the job ? It's a well accepted fact in england that you dont produce enough quality coaches so why narrow your options, especially to a culture that prioritises "passion" over technique ?

100% Augie, we have some great memories of Big Jack's time as manager, ones which will probably never be repeated. I always remember a headline in the Daily Mirror after we beat Ingerland in the euros "Forty Shades of Green Around the Gills" accompanied by a pic of Charlton and an article slating him as basically a traitor. But then they never did "like it up em"
Other countries have been more than willing to have players from other countries represent them in various sports. None more so than England, particularly in cricket, even when sportsmen from South Africa were banned from international sport because of the apartheid regime, the MCC were to their shame willing to offer them an opportunity to represent England.

Wondered when this would turn into an anti-english/pro-irish slag fest

Rascists

[hut160]

Do Arsenal/England do public relations courses for players?
they should do

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Jesus Christ!! It's not bad enough that we have gooners setting up dubiously subjected threads slating one of our best players, it's now being used for no reason other than to throw insults at his supposed lack of intelligence - all because he responded to something asked which probably the majority of English football followers would agree with!! Seriously, you guys are embarrassing yourselves a lot more than you claim Jack is!!

With you on this brother

[northbank123]

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule but for me there are distinctions. This is an issue that has raised itself once or twice with England (talk of Almunia and Cudicini) but one that regularly eats away at me with Wales.

Robert Earnshaw, for example, was born in Zambia and lived in Africa til he was 9. He then moved to the South Wales valleys and basically became a Welsh lad through and through, proud to represent his country. No issue with him qualifying for Wales at all. On the other hand, somebody like Ben Thatcher had a Welsh grandmother and played for Wales purely because it was his only hope of playing international football. Believe me, it's a complete embarrassment to have players playing for your country who don't give a shit. It of course didn't help that he's a prick.

It will be a complete farce if a kid born into a South-Eastern European family in Belgium lives there until 16 and then pretends to be English.

[nut flush gooner]

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule but for me there are distinctions. This is an issue that has raised itself once or twice with England (talk of Almunia and Cudicini) but one that regularly eats away at me with Wales.

Robert Earnshaw, for example, was born in Zambia and lived in Africa til he was 9. He then moved to the South Wales valleys and basically became a Welsh lad through and through, proud to represent his country. No issue with him qualifying for Wales at all. On the other hand, somebody like Ben Thatcher had a Welsh grandmother and played for Wales purely because it was his only hope of playing international football. Believe me, it's a complete embarrassment to have players playing for your country who don't give a shit. It of course didn't help that he's a prick.

It will be a complete farce if a kid born into a South-Eastern European family in Belgium lives there until 16 and then pretends to be English.

And yet the English have taken tony gregg, alan lamb, graeme hick, kevin pietersen, mo farah etc etc as honorary citizens and lauded them as english heroes.

About time football came out of the dark ages. It isn't just the players that seem just a tad ignorant.

The world is a small place, you can live and work and claim citizenship pretty much anywhere with the right occupations. Why doesn't that apply for footballers who haven't chosen their international country of choice?? Its not like the "english" players we have are good enough to win the world cup.

[I Hate Hleb]

Jesus Christ!! It's not bad enough that we have gooners setting up dubiously subjected threads slating one of our best players, it's now being used for no reason other than to throw insults at his supposed lack of intelligence - all because he responded to something asked which probably the majority of English football followers would agree with!! Seriously, you guys are embarrassing yourselves a lot more than you claim Jack is!!

What you think most england fans are bothered about where our players are born??? Next time Mo Farah picks up a gold medal and play homage to the arsenal be proud not embarased as I am for your last post.

Wilshire is a prize eejit, he needs to worry about improving his form this season than who is eligible to play for England. And yes he needs to work on the basics, like how to speak in an articulate manner rather than come across as a chavvy ignoramous.

Don't be concerning yourself about my post matey, you should be more embarrassed about your spelling and lack of a coherent argument!! And what the feck has Mo Farrah being an Arsenal fan got to do with anything?

How comes everyone - especially the media - seems to be using the Mo Farrah example? What about all the other sportsmen and women that have only changed countries solely out of convenience - normally financial - rather than Farrah who came to to this country under totally different circumstances which were beyond his control?

And to answer your question: Yes, I do think most England fans are bothered by where the players are born, as I believe most people of other countries would be. What's the point of having Internationals between different countries if it doesn't actually matter where the participants come from?