Not when it come’s to playing for England, that’s for sure!

Arsenal currently have around 11 players out on loan, with many more youngsters earmarked to join the temporary exodus at the turn of the year as the Arsenal Academy has made it his policy to loan out many of our young players. I understand that the funds made from this is ploughed back into the Academy, therefore making it something of a self-sustaining model. That could partly explain why Arsenal retain so many youngsters who are clearly not going to make the First Team.

The club is therefore earning an income from these loanees and that is then reinvested back into the Academy.

The loan system is still hugely beneficial to the development of our youngsters and has helped produce some real gems, Ashley Cole [ C.Palace ], Johan Djourou and Nicklaus Bendtner [ both Birmingham ] and the shining star that is  Jack Wilshere [ Bolton ].

Last season Benik Afobe enjoyed a very successful spell at Huddersfield Town, Ryo Miyaichi became a bit of a hero at Feyenoord, Francis Coquelin became a regular in the Lorient team and Aaron Ramsey’s recuperation was helped greatly by spells at Notts Forest and Cardiff City.

The experience gained by these players at those loan clubs will help Arsenal in the near future and I expect to see a few more repeat the experience post-Carling Cup. Already, the promising midfield duo of Oguzhan Ozyakup and Chuks Aneke have spoken of their wish to go on loan and to further their football education in a more pressurized environment than the reserve league.

Liam Brady runs a very efficient Academy, one that produces some of the most technically proficient players developed by any club on these islands. Arsenal youngsters are much sought after, and not only by domestic clubs wishing to take them on loan but also by foreign associations keen to ensure that many of our youngsters represent the countries of their parents rather than the country of their birth.

This I feel, is the fault of the English Football Association.

It makes me question if these youngsters are made to feel welcome and a part of the English set-up?

Maybe they find the England coaching inferior to what they are used to at Arsenal?

A lack of urgency by England, has already seen Emmanuel Frimpong snapped up by Ghana.

Congo were sniffing around Benik Afobe before he committed himself, fortunately, to England.

Losing Chuks Aneke to Nigeria could be seen in 2 or 3 years time, to have been an enormous blunder by the English FA.

Alban Bunjaku is a highly skillful and very technical midfielder, with a great range of passing. He was born in Romford Essex but could end up playing for Albania if the English FA don’t get their act together.

Conor Henderson was born Sidcup Kent but now represents Ireland, Samir Bihmoutine was born in Newham East London but could end up playing for Morocco.

What are the English FA doing..?

Do England really have that many highly talented youngsters that the FA can afford to let some of the best from Arsenal to slip through our national net?

Written by Allezkev