Pre-season - Arsenal v Boca Juniors | 30/07/11 16:20 ESPN

[1macca1]

I'm still not convinced by Frimpong yet, need to see more of him. However, I can't believe it looks like we're going to be blooding a youngster in a position we clearly need an experienced leader. Frimpong has never played a competitive game for us and just spent a year out injured, imo, he should definitely be spending this year out on loan and proving himself elsewhere before taking a place in our squad. It makes too much sense for us to buy a 30+ DM who only has a few years left so that Frimpong (if good enough) can come in once said purchased player leaves/retires. Add to that, if Frimpong does impress early on in the season then there's a chance he'll be picked for the ACN and we'll have no one capable of playing DM.

I don't understand how anyone can bemoan Frimpong choosing Ghana over England though, I personally feel a lot more loyalty to my birth country and where my family originated than the country that I schooled and currently reside in.

 

[outlaw_member]

I've grown up with many people like Frimpong. Obviously, it's only natural to hold great affection for the country of ones birth. What I don't find acceptable is when they choose it over their naturalised nation in a regard , which their adopted nation was the sole reason behind their success. Frimpong is the player he is today because of Arsenal and England, so he's got to appreciate that and give something back. For what it's worth, I've had this very debate with many friends numerous times before.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

I guess there're very few on here who know what it feels like, when you're in such a difficult situation where you've to choose between two countries.

I'm not one of those, so I accept his decision.

 

[yuvken]

Int'l football is a relic that should just go away. An obstacle for good football, nothing else.


(Having said all that, as long as it does exist, it is ridiculous to expect anyone to play for a country he doesn't feel is his/her choice. This is, by definition, "a heart" thing. "Give back" is a meaningful concept, but I don't think it could stick here).

 

[Tourbillion]

How can anyone criticise such a personal decision like that? Seriously.