Arsenal Banter Archive October 09 2013

09 Oct 2013 20:48:02
What the people's take on Jack Wilshere comments in the press?

09 Oct 2013 22:09:44
I agree with what he is saying. The lad Januzaji (Spelling), isn't English. His parents are Albanian and he was born in Belguim so he should chose between them. I remember years ago when Almunia became a British citizen and was available for England, Capello was asked would he pick him and he simply said "hes not English".

However I think Wilshere seriuosly needs to take some media attention off him. First the smoking now he's running his mouth with this?

09 Oct 2013 22:40:29
I understand his sentiments, but I feel his comments were a bit too simplistic. Take Mo Farah for example. Came to this country as a child, was educated here and has spent the majority of his life here. He had a British passport, felt British and wanted to represent Britain. No problems with that at all.
For me it's more about the spirit behind the reasons you choose to represent a particular country.
I don't care where you come from or even how old you were when you arrived. If you want to represent that country due to an appreciation you have for that country, or grateful for the opportunity that one country can give you that another might not be able to. I think if you have lived here and paid your taxes like everyone else for a certain amount of time then I don't have a problem.
Where I do have a slight problem going back to the 'spirit' thing, is where a sportsman or woman wants to represent a country merely because they weren't deemed good enough to represent their own.
I forget the name of the taekwondo lad, who was ranked no 1 in the world, but because he trained outside of the British taekwondo association or something they didn't choose him for the Olympics. That was out of order, and since then has been offered the opportunity to chang nationality to the isle of man so he can particapate in international competition. I have every sympathy for the lad, and in this sense it was this country that let him down due to stupid one way must fit all policy.
So even though up until last year he had no affiliation to the isle of man, I bet the respect and appreciation 'spirit' he has for isle of man now is far greater then he has for Britain. Which is completely understandable
Sorry this has been long winded, but for me it's more about how you feel for a country rather than if you were born there.
Flybo

I agree that whilst it brings unnecessary attention to himself he has put himself in a rock and a hard place scenario.
any answer he was going to give was going to bring disagreement on either side.either people more or less calling him a racist for his current comments or if he took the other view and said yes he would get the media and the public saying "thats not fair on players like Tom Ince and the young kid Redmond", ie the blocking of english born. (im only citing those as two talented players eligable for England, I am unsure of their birthplace so sorry if I was ignorant to it)
He was slated for giving his opinion. not really fair in all honesty. wasnt he the one who gave money to aid Paul Gascgoine's recovery in the clinic only for him to piss it up against a wall(again) or what about his support to the very young boy who sadly passed away with cancer. he took more time out than some of the players of the club he supported. in fact I recall jack travelled from london to stockport for a kickaround with the young lads brother because he was being bullied. that's not the actions of a person with malice or hatred in them.
Wenger is right.people forget about the age of this young man. he has been professional and a fantastic player and no doubt will do for many years for club and country (fitness permitting), but we must remember he is young. and human, and as such prone to error, and he will make mistakes. The cigarette incident. that's a nothing, if Jack comes out the other side of this knowing that he has the support of his club team mates, management and his fans then it will be forgotten.
Its just starting to become the norm now. he is going to be one of the most valuable players England have, a future captain, and the press are always going to want his opinion, I just don't want him to be hounded out off twitter or whatever he chooses to use to interact with the fans AGAIN.
Give the lad peace. especially john fashanu. ffs what did he ever achieve in his mediocre career. FOCUS! dippo.
nuff said.
ALLY ni

If you are educated and grow up for 5 years or more pre 18 years of age in any country then along with birth right that's your country. After 18 no exception's.
But why Jack is getting involved with this I have no idea after last week I thought he would keep his head down. Ageing players who can no longer create headlines with their ability on the pitch some times crave the attention so get involved in controversy, but at 21 Jack?

+1 on what Flybo wrote. Its how you feel and the pride you wear, not where you were born. Which I think is what Jack was very clumisly trying to say. But who knows, between how the reporter wrote it, insider knowledge among footballers and the fact that his life experience has been in the narrow, tribal world of football ( hey, we are all fans -:)) since age 11.

FWIW I'm technically a dual national having got a job outside the country and married over here, but no one can tell me I'm not English, when forced to choose, like who I support, that's my nationality. But I have other friends who feel differentky and cheer forbtheir sdopted country, which is just fine too. its how you feel. And if I had a chance to represent 'my other' country because I was good enough to play, I couldn't do it because I didn't believe it - and I don't think you get away with just playing for a country without feeling it, you'd be sussed out by your teammates. Which I think is also behind what jack was saying.

Nicky Clarke might have a better answer though.

09 Oct 2013 15:16:13
I can see a problem coming up, as flamini and arteta are both on 3 yellow cards.If they get 2 more in the next 3 games they could miss the Liverpool or Manchester United games.
Wenger can afford to leave out one of them for the Norwich and c.palace games, as we do not need 2 d/midfielders in those games.

09 Oct 2013 23:35:20
the formation clearly didn't work during the WBA game, that's not taking anything away from them. but a re jig might prove more effective against palace. against norwich. well fer and snodgrass might need. Attention.
be interesting to see what happens once Cazorla gets back.
Ally

Not sure about Arteta but Flamini is definitely on 4 yellows. Needs to play next PL game and pick up a yellow to miss one of those easier games.

09 Oct 2013 11:54:26
Koscielny has just got a calf injury in
training with France.Unbeleivable!
What a great start to the week.

08 Oct 2013 14:27:39
Hello Ed,

Top of the morning to you. I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. My mate who is a Milan supporter and I enjoy a bit of banter, and we were talking about stadium moves.

I made the argument that Arsenal were unlike other clubs who moved stadiums in that we have financed the move entirely ourselves, without the help of a "sugar daddy" or other external funding.

He said that was untrue and that both Bayern Munich and Juventus have done the same. I cannot think of others right now, but I was wondering if you (and fellow gooners of course) could clarify this for me.

He also argued that Milan do not have a "sugar daddy" like Chelsea and City, and that their money for transfers and wages come from the club's revenues.

This is my go-to site for all things Arsenal and football for that matter, and I consider the information shared on this site by the Eds and gooners to be the best that I can find. I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and opinions.

Cheers everyone,
Trinidad-Gooner {Ed044's Note - Arsenal took on significant loans which they are servicing from the revenue that they have. There was of course external funding in the form of sponsorship from Emirates. Within the ownership structure at Arsenal there is one person who does want to provide significant funding to the club.}

Thanks for your reply Ed,

I assume you are referring to Usmanov as the one who wishes to provide significant funding?

Thanks again,
Trinidad-Gooner {Ed044's Note - Yep.}

Hope this helps.

Milan is a subsidiary of Fininvest Group since 1986. The office of club president has been vacant since 8 May 2008, following a new Italian law that forbids the country's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, to have other managing roles in private companies or clubs.[104] The vice president and CEO of the company is Adriano Galliani

I believe Silvio Berlusconi was reputed to be bank rolling the team at approx 100 million a season at one point