by Graeme Smith

Created on: October 31, 2009   Last Updated: November 02, 2009

When Arsene Wenger submitted his team to face Crystal Palace in February 2005, he had no idea that it did not contain a single home-grown player. For most of us this naivety was a sign that Arsenal had become suppressed by a foreign influence that was potentially dangerous for English football. Most of us still think as much and so it follows that most of us are equally as naive.

Wenger's response to the reporter that pointed out that there were no English players in his 16-man squad was that his team was chosen based upon the quality and attitude of the players, and not their passport. Arsenal scored five that day, so he had clearly chosen well. So what for the case that their lack of English players is a problem?

Many would argue that the national side suffers; for the best English players to flourish, they need to be playing the best football. This logic is correct. But it should be pointed out that they are: Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and (dare I say) Michael Owen, play for the champions; the captain, and three of England's best, play for Chelsea; Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson play for Liverpool. So no problem then if most of the England side are playing in the top fifth of the Premier League.

Likewise, the "problem" has been relieved: Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere . So maybe it doesn't compete with the English influence in the Tony Adams era, but that is a sign of the times. Manchester United could cope without Rio and Carrick. Chelsea only need Terry and Lampard. Liverpool - obvious. My point is that it isn't only Arsenal that are experiencing a dominance of foreign imports, but the Big Four alike.

Nevertheless, the dominance isn't damaging. Foreign players speak for a diversity that exists beyond the theatre of football. Fans and critics alike should embrace this diversity as a route to more attractive and exciting football. Let's face it, it's rare for the national side to demonstrate the same meaning of the beautiful game that Fabregas and co provide at Arsenal.

With an academy producing young English talent like Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt it is hard to imagine that Wenger will abandon his policy of fielding youthful sides in the League Cup. It is with this diversity that the right balance between home and foreign can be satisfied.

I can only assume that Arsenal have been unjustly placed at the end of the blame for an apparent overbearing influx of foreign players. Arsenal deserve credit for exhibiting their young English players on the League Cup stage.

Moreover, the perception that their appreciation of foreign ability is a problem should be rejected and instead, we should encourage the current direction of Premier League football that puts the best English players at the best English clubs, alongside the best in the world.

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