Source: Daily_Mail
Arteta for England? He joins Almunia, Distin, N'Zogbia, Malbranque and Aliadiere among others who
Mikel Arteta has reportedly told close friends he hasn't ruled out playing for England but would rather not. That hasn't stopped Goodison Park fans campaigning for his inclusion.[LNB] Who shall I choose? Is Arteta more English than Spanish? [LNB] The Spanish-born Everton [LNB]midfielder has constantly been overlooked by his country and there seems no way in for the 26-year-old, who qualifies for England through residency early next year.[LNB]European champions Spain were too strong for England last week with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Marcos Senna and Xabi Alonso in midfield - and the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Capel, Santi Cazorla, David Silva and Juan Mata in reserve.[LNB]So if former Rangers man Arteta wants to strut his stuff on the international stage, he'll have to make his mind up for whom pretty soon as the clock is ticking on his shelf life.[LNB]He could be coerced into pledging allegiance to the cross of St George by fellow England-playing Toffees Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott but has secretly revealed he would have reservations about playing for a country that's not his own.[LNB]The Football Association admit they would not be keen on selecting non-English players but it is something that would be considered if manager Fabio Capello - an Italian of course - decided he wanted to.[LNB]The England cricket and rugby teams have had no qualms picking non-Anglos in the past - and between them have reached six World Cup finals in the last 30 years.[LNB]But if Capello does decide to call up foreign blood to the England side, who would he choose? And would they be better than the current incumbents?[LNB] Are United untouchable? Here's our prediction for the top five title run-in[LNB]VIDEO SPECIAL: Who is better? The moments that made Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar Manchester United legends[LNB]Everton fans unveil the new England saviour - Spaniard Mikel Arteta[LNB][LNB]To help Fabio and the FA decide on their next course of action, Sportsmail presents a selection made up (almost entirely) of household names that have never played for their native countries at full level - and could be eligible for England if the need arose.[LNB]GOALKEEPERTake your pick from Tottenham's[LNB]35-year-old ex-Chelsea stopper Carlo Cudicini or Manuel Almunia, 31, of Arsenal[LNB].[LNB][LNB][LNB] England's No.1? Almunia[LNB] Spurred on: Cudicini[LNB] Italian Cudicini made 216 appearances in nine years at Stamford Bridge and his 101 clean sheets is the second best in the club's history - behind the great Peter Bonetti.[LNB] Spaniard Almunia has waited patiently in the wings at Arsenal and has made just 65 League starts in five years - but now he's the No 1 keeper and has stated he wants to play for England.[LNB]DEFENDERSLooking to fill that troublesome left-back slot Fabio? Johnny Foreigner can't really help so Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are safe for now.[LNB]However, you could draft in Portsmouth's[LNB]French-born former Tottenham right back Noe Pamarot who has never got a whiff of international honours but who at 29 is probably at the peak of his powers.[LNB][LNB][LNB] I'm Noe 1: Pamarot[LNB] In the frame: Distin[LNB] Pair him up central defending French Pompey team-mate Sylvain Distin (31) and the two FA Cup winners will think they've won the Lottery (la Lotto to them).[LNB]Parisian Franck Queudrue of Birmingham won a French B cap in 2000 but now wants to be British. The 30-year-old may struggle to win a place in the England squad if Brum co-owner David Sullivan is on the selection committee but he does have plenty of European experience - and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal.[LNB]MIDFIELDERSCharles N'Zogbia probably wasn't the first person to drop off a get-well-soon card to his former boss at Newcastle [LNB]Joe Kinnear but the Wigan [LNB]left-sided midfielder delivered a message to FA HQ when he declined France's call-up so he could decide where his international future really lies.[LNB]The problem for Capello is that if he spends too much time deciding whether he should pick the talented 22-year-old ex-France Under 21 star he could develop insomnia.[LNB] Are United untouchable? Here's our prediction for the top five title run-in[LNB]VIDEO SPECIAL: Who is better? The moments that made Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar Manchester United legends[LNB]Everton fans unveil the new England saviour - Spaniard Mikel Arteta[LNB][LNB]Joining Mikel Arteta in the centre of midfield is a utility man so utilisable (?) that he's currently on loan with Norwich City. Wigan's Antoine Sibierski can act as an attacking midfielder or striker but just might be, at 34, even less one for the future than David Beckham.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Too old at 34? Sibierski[LNB] Spot on: Arteta[LNB] Que faire? N'Zogbia[LNB] He's a Jem: Karacan[LNB] Trusty Steed: Malbranque [LNB] Fabio or Diego? Arca[LNB] Everyone seems to like Steed Malbranque, but the 29-year-old Sunderland [LNB]midfielder has never been picked for France despite playing regular Premier League football since 2001. Maybe at 5ft 7in, Steed is too small but if Fabio likes Shaun Wright-Phillips...[LNB]Julio Arca has been around a few years but it still only 28 and he's only played for the Argentina Under 21 side. The fleet-of-foot left-sided midfielder is firm favourite at Middlesbrough [LNB]- and a legend at previous club Sunderland - but has never been rated as full international class and now needs to impress Diego Maradona to earn a cap.[LNB] Are United untouchable? Here's our prediction for the top five title run-in[LNB]VIDEO SPECIAL: Who is better? The moments that made Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar Manchester United legends[LNB]Everton fans unveil the new England saviour - Spaniard Mikel Arteta[LNB][LNB]Outside the Premier League, there's Reading's highly rated Jem Karacan. He was born in Catford, south-east London and is eligible to play, though he has already chosen to represent Turkey at junior levels.[LNB]FORWARDSHe left Arsenal [LNB]to get regular football and international recognition but Jeremie Aliadiere is finding the latter hard to come by.[LNB]A French Swiss by birth, the 25-year-old is eligible for England through residency but perhaps 10 League goals in eight years is not the sort of prolific strike rate to usurp the likes of Emile Heskey. But then again...[LNB] Come and get me: Aliadiere can have any one from three[LNB] Vincent Pericard of Stoke [LNB]is currently on loan at Southampton. The 26-year-old Cameroonian has twice won promotion medals to the Premier League and managers always seem to want him but he appears to have no chance of making the team sheet for the Indomitable Lions. [LNB] Are United untouchable? Here's our prediction for the top five title run-in[LNB]VIDEO SPECIAL: Who is better? The moments that made Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar Manchester United legends[LNB]Everton fans unveil the new England saviour - Spaniard Mikel Arteta[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]
