Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta on his day is one of the most talented midfielders in the country. His technical ability is typical of a player from the country of which he hails. His close control, vision and skill all qualities that Spain’s best midfielders typify.
Spain
Spain has produced a generation of footballers capable of gracing any football team in the world. The competition for places in the Spanish national team is incredible. Even the superb Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas struggles to get in the first eleven.
Mikel Arteta has been touted as a Spanish international but he would have to perform miracles between now and next June if he were to get on the plane with Spain for the World Cup. He hasn’t lost hope of winning a call-up and has in recent weeks shown signs of his best form returning.
Injury
The 27 year-old has been terribly unlucky in the past few years with injuries. He has just come back from nearly a year out of the game with knee ligament damage. The injury came at a very poor time for the likeable midfielder as he was on the verge of his first ever call-up to the Spanish national squad.
He has always talked of his wish to play for the Seleccion and I’m sure he will get his wish one day, especially if he hits top form for Everton. Everton missed his creative presence in midfield. He’s the player that changes Everton from a good team to an excellent team. In a team that supposedly lacks stars, Arteta usually shines the brightest in that Everton midfield.
Grounding
Arteta came through the famous Barcelona youth academy, although he never made a first team appearance for the European champions it was a good grounding for his career ahead. At Barcelona players are not just taught about football but also taught humility.
This humility has served him well in his time at Everton. Despite the fact that he is head and shoulder above most of his teammates technically he still works hard and usually diverts credit from himself to his teammates.
Options
Having lived in England for five-years he is now eligible to play for the country of his residency. He would be a great asset to the England squad with his substantial skill and guile. He would provide England with something different to what we already have.
However I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the England national team and I think a lot of England fans would be against it. As a person I also believe that he would rather represent his homeland rather England.
He would see playing for England as very much second choice. And he doesn’t seem the sort of lad to give up that easily and I hope he doesn’t play for England. You can be sure Everton manager David Moyes will be telling him to keep hold of his dream of playing in the red of Spain.
Common
It’s very common in international football to see players born in other countries represent the countries they now reside in, the biggest example being the German national side. Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Cacau and Marko Marin are all members of the current German squad who were born in other countries and that’s to name just a few.
Brazil has been a provider of many international footballers for other countries. The likes of Pepe and Eduardo considered not good enough to play for the Selacao, chose to represent the countries were they once played their football.
However it appeared those players had given up hope of playing for their homeland, Arteta still has high hopes of representing Spain and his huge talent gives him an excellent chance of getting into that squad.
Chant
If Arteta did decide to play for England then Everton fans would lose one of our favourite chants. We sing that Mikel Arteta is the best little Spaniard we know. I just don’t think the best little Englishman we know has the same ring to it!
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
