http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6328410,00.html
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed that he would consider playing for England if he received a call-up from manager Fabio Capello.
The Spanish playmaker was born in San Sebastian, but has never played for Spain's senior squad, having only made 12 appearances for the Under-21s and his native country's youth sides.
The world champions have a wealth of central midfield talent including Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta as well as Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, which has left the 28-year-old out of contention.
The prospect of Arteta playing for England has often been mooted, but could become a reality this year as he qualifies as a British resident.
After spending five years in England since joining Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005, Arteta admitted that he would consider playing for the national side.
"Of course I would consider it," he replied when asked about the prospect of playing for Capello's men.
"But to be honest I don't have the chance to consider it because it is not something that is there.
"I knew a few people have been talking about it, but I don't want to say anything yet as I don't want to talk about something that isn't there at the moment.
"If one day that opportunity comes then I will have to consider it."
I personally would love to see Arteta in an England shirt. He would offer that creative spark that no England player has at the moment (Except J.Cole maybe). Other nations seem to have done the same, most noteably Germany, so why not England?
Your thoughts?
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed that he would consider playing for England if he received a call-up from manager Fabio Capello.
The Spanish playmaker was born in San Sebastian, but has never played for Spain's senior squad, having only made 12 appearances for the Under-21s and his native country's youth sides.
The world champions have a wealth of central midfield talent including Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta as well as Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, which has left the 28-year-old out of contention.
The prospect of Arteta playing for England has often been mooted, but could become a reality this year as he qualifies as a British resident.
After spending five years in England since joining Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005, Arteta admitted that he would consider playing for the national side.
"Of course I would consider it," he replied when asked about the prospect of playing for Capello's men.
"But to be honest I don't have the chance to consider it because it is not something that is there.
"I knew a few people have been talking about it, but I don't want to say anything yet as I don't want to talk about something that isn't there at the moment.
"If one day that opportunity comes then I will have to consider it."
I personally would love to see Arteta in an England shirt. He would offer that creative spark that no England player has at the moment (Except J.Cole maybe). Other nations seem to have done the same, most noteably Germany, so why not England?
Your thoughts?