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Everyone knows that Arsenal usually play their premier league games with a side containing no English players. Occasionally Theo Walcott or Justin Hoyte get a run out, but this is usually in unimportant cup games, or league games that Wenger is certain they will win whatever team he selects.

You have to look at whether the lack of English players is a problem from three different angles. Firstly, is it a problem for Arsenal football club? Secondly, is it a problem for Arsenal fans? Thirdly, is it a problem for English football?

Taking each of these matters in turn, I would say that sell out crowds at the Emirates stadium, being top of the Premier League, being recognized as the best footballing side in the country, and doing well in the Champions League, suggests that the absence of English players is not a problem for the club.

In relation to the fans, I would guess, and I have to guess as I'm a very long way from being an Arsenal fan myself, that they would prefer to have some English stars to cheer on. They have been brought up hero worshiping the likes of Tony Adams and Ian Wright who have the lion of England running through their veins. On the other hand, the fans do get to watch a successful exciting team, and have grown used to watching some of the best players in world football. I would suggest that most Arsenal fans can cope with the lack of English players when they watch Tourre, Fabrigas, Adebayor, etc.

We then come to whether this situation is a problem for English football. This is where I would say quite categorically that it is a major problem indeed. Arsenal are one of four English teams who regularly compete in the Champions league. That competition is undoubtedly the best training ground for international football. Of course, when Arsenal play in Europe, no English players are developing the skills and abilities they need to represent the national team. In fact, in the England team that recently lost to Croatia there were five players who are with clubs that don't compete at the highest level. This is a good reason as to why England are in such a mess.

In conclusion then, I would say that the lack of English players is not a problem to Arsenal or their fans, but to an England fan and a neutral, it is a very severe problem indeed.

Learn more about this author, Graham Fisher.
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