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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta reveals he nearly decided to play for England before Fifa intervention
The Spaniard says he has immersed himself in English culture and came close to accepting a call for World Cup 2010 but it transpired he was never eligible to don Three Lions shirt
5 Jan 2012 11:50:00
By George Ankers
Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed that he was close to deciding to play for the England national team at World Cup 2010 before he realised that Fifa rules would have prevented it.
The 29-year-old arrived in the country in 2005 when he joined Everton and says that he has developed an affinity for the culture ever since, but realised he was ineligible to pull on a Three Lions shirt due to not owning a British passport at the time when he represented his native Spain at under-16 level.
“If it was any other country I would have had to say no, but because it was [England] I said I would have to think about it,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.
“England has been really good to me professionally and personally. In the end I didn't have to make a decision because I wasn't allowed to play because of Fifa rules.
“At least it was nice to know that Fabio Capello and his staff were thinking about bringing me into the national team.
“I feel English in some ways because I have spent the biggest part of my career here. Obviously I know how English people think, what they do, the culture - I know everything.
“I have to adapt to that so I am living life like an English person. It's funny, I look at my child and hear her talk English, it's amazing.”
The former Rangers playmaker also revealed Xabi Alonso, now of Real Madrid, helped convince him to make the move to England when he was plying his trade at Liverpool.
“We used to live five minutes away from each other and play at the same clubs when we were young,” said Arteta of their time in his birthplace of San Sebastian.
“We had a good relationship but then I went to Barcelona and he stayed. Then suddenly, five years later he went to Liverpool and I went to Everton and we lived next door to each other.
“It was crazy but that's what football brings you sometimes. You never know where you are going to end up.
“Obviously I spoke to him and he said Liverpool was a really nice city to live in, that the fans were unbelievable, there was a big rivalry between the two clubs and it was a good experience.
“I didn't have any doubts about moving there and that was partly thanks to him.”
Arteta has not looked back since, making 229 appearances in all competitions for both Everton and Arsenal since his arrival in England.
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The 29-year-old arrived in the country in 2005 when he joined Everton and says that he has developed an affinity for the culture ever since, but realised he was ineligible to pull on a Three Lions shirt due to not owning a British passport at the time when he represented his native Spain at under-16 level.
“If it was any other country I would have had to say no, but because it was [England] I said I would have to think about it,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.
“England has been really good to me professionally and personally. In the end I didn't have to make a decision because I wasn't allowed to play because of Fifa rules.
“At least it was nice to know that Fabio Capello and his staff were thinking about bringing me into the national team.
“I feel English in some ways because I have spent the biggest part of my career here. Obviously I know how English people think, what they do, the culture - I know everything.
“I have to adapt to that so I am living life like an English person. It's funny, I look at my child and hear her talk English, it's amazing.”
The former Rangers playmaker also revealed Xabi Alonso, now of Real Madrid, helped convince him to make the move to England when he was plying his trade at Liverpool.
“We used to live five minutes away from each other and play at the same clubs when we were young,” said Arteta of their time in his birthplace of San Sebastian.
“We had a good relationship but then I went to Barcelona and he stayed. Then suddenly, five years later he went to Liverpool and I went to Everton and we lived next door to each other.
“It was crazy but that's what football brings you sometimes. You never know where you are going to end up.
“Obviously I spoke to him and he said Liverpool was a really nice city to live in, that the fans were unbelievable, there was a big rivalry between the two clubs and it was a good experience.
“I didn't have any doubts about moving there and that was partly thanks to him.”
Arteta has not looked back since, making 229 appearances in all competitions for both Everton and Arsenal since his arrival in England.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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