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by MIKE HARVEY During every International break, it seems clubs emphasize that they have enough power to influence the decisions made at the International camps and despite being hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles away, they still have the ability to degrade the national team selections so that their respective players can get a rest.
This week, we’ve seen Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry as well as Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson all pull out of the England squad, ahead of next week’s Champions League quarter-final ties. While our own Jack Wilshere remains in the squad, and looks certain to start against The Black Stars tonight at Wembley.
There’s no doubt that Wilshere is a very talented footballer and he should have a huge future ahead of him. However, I think we can all agree on that we will be watching the England “B” team tonight (the fact that Gareth Barry will be wearing the armband tonight sums it all up pretty well). It makes me wonder if this particular match is actually worth playing, when half the first team have pulled out.
Of course, representing your country is the pinnacle for any footballer. Whoever Fabio Capello decides to put out tonight, every one of them will feel tremendous pride when playing under the arch. I appreciate that it will be a weakened side, but these players have been working for this since they first kicked a football, and no one has the right to say that this isn’t a very special occasion for them.
However, there are two sides to the story.
Generally, England aren’t the most entertaining side to watch. So I think that everyone can say that it’s good to see players like Wilshere coming in, playing attractive football. However, despite being a huge breath of fresh air, I would rather see Wilshere sit out of tonight’s match.
I know it’s very selfish of me to think like that, but it would be absolutely devastating if Jack picked up an injury tonight, in a match that I feel is a pointless friendly – I expect some of you may feel that I’m being a tad cruel here, but I believe it would do everyone a favour if tonight’s match didn’t take place. I accept that the game itself is not be completely pointless. However, I will admit that the updated squad selection for tonight hasn’t exactly filled me with enthusiasm.
If Jack starts tonight, then I will hope that he has a good game, performs well but most importantly, doesn’t get injured. Our squad is already damaged enough, and we need Jack’s talent to get through these 9 remaining league games. If he does pick up an injury, then we will be forced to start with either Denilson or Diaby. I really couldn’t handle that!
Alternatively, I realize that it’s not just us who could suffer big tonight. West Ham are battling for their Premier League lives, but things appear to be improving for them. Scott Parker is in fantastic form, but if he picked up an injury, then that would produce catastrophic effects for London’s 2nd biggest side.
It’s frustrating to see the other title contenders (and Tottenham) pull their star players from the national side, and even more frustrating that we cannot do the same. It’s unfair, but on the other hand, I have no right to complain about it. It’s part of the game now, and I’ve learnt to accept it.
It’s a delicately controversial topic, so I’m going to do myself a favour and sit on the fence here.
Ultimately, I feel the final decision should be up to the players themselves. However, I believe that some of the younger players such as Jack, could fall victim of their own naivety. Despite this, I will always say that footballers should make their own decisions, learn from their own mistakes and improve from gaining experience overtime.
But as a Gooner who has been waiting nearly 7 years to watch his side claim the Premier League title, I’m going to look at the bigger picture and express my desire to see all of our players pull out of these meaningless International friendlies.
Fingers crossed Jack and of course, every other Arsenal player doesn’t pick up any injuries tonight. At this stage of the season, we simply can’t afford it.
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