Should Mikel Arteta play for England?

Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta has now became eligible for dual-citizenship.

That means because he has lived in England for five years and hasn’t represented Spain at international level he could turn out for the Three Lions.

Intent

Arteta hasn’t yet made his feelings known on the subject and that’s a crucial fact in this situation.

I don’t think he has given up on playing for Spain but the lure of international football could persuade him to decide to represent England.

I can’t see him suddenly changing his allegiances from Spain to England though.

Not-Cricket

People who are for the switch state the England cricket team as a parallel. The England cricket team has given the chance to South African’s to play international cricket. However this is not cricket. The England football team should have enough home-grown players to play for the country.

Talented

There is no question over Mikel Arteta’s talent; he is a top quality player. He is just unfortunate that he came along at the same time as the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso. If he was born in another era or generation then he would have been a first team regular for the Spanish national side.

However with those players available to Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque it’s going to be difficult for the 28 year-old to break into the Spanish fold. He would definitely add something to the England team.

He could even add that spark of creativity that has been missing in England’s recent performances. Those against his selection are not arguing that he’s not good enough they arguing he’s not English. And that argument could be the key one.

Patriotic

A lot of Englishmen tend to be very patriotic especially when it comes to football. Passions often flare within an Englishman watching football that are usually dormant for long periods of their normal lives. There’s also that local pride people feel for the player who has came from their city or particular part of a city.

That sort of pride goes missing when England start to select foreign players. Arteta wouldn’t be the first foreign player to play for England but he would be the most controversial. Jamaican born-John Barnes represented England but moved to the country when he was in his teens.

Then there is the Canadian-born Owen Hargreaves, who qualified for England by having an English parent. Mikel Arteta however moved to the country at 23 and has no blood ties to the country. The only tie he has with England is the bricks and mortars he owns in the country and his Everton contract.

If England ever met Spain in a competitive game he would have split loyalties. It’s only human nature. Even if it was a sub-conscious thing he would naturally want his home country to win, no matter how professional he tries to be.

People have also mentioned the fact that the inclusion of Arteta in the national team would block the way for youngsters to come through into the team. I disagree, I believe he could help some of those players develop and become better players.

Others

Other countries have been doing it for years and nobody has caused this much fuss. Half of Germany’s World Cup squad were born elsewhere including Polish-born strike force Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.

Even the Spanish have gone down that route with Brazilian-born Marcos Senna a key player in their Euro 2008 victory. If it’s good enough for Spain then it’s good enough for England.

Asked

According to reports Mikel Arteta has yet to be approached by Fabio Capello or the FA to play for England. As Everton boss David Moyes stated he can’t accept an invitation that is not there.

He would also have to apply for a passport and sort other paperwork out if he was asked which could take up to six months if I understand it right. All this discussion could be for nothing as Arteta could decide not to accept the invitation or Capello could decide not to pick him.

I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world if ‘the best little Spaniard we know’ was called up for England. However I believe he has too much class to accept the invitation. I could be wrong though, it wouldn’t be the first time!

Should Mikel Arteta play for England?