Emmanuel Frimpong has angered England selectors by rejecting a future with the Three Lions in favour of representing the country of his birth – Ghana. The defensive midfielder has been capped at Under 16 and Under 17 levels by England.
Frimpong was a regular in Arsenal’s Under 18 double winning side last season but has yet to kick on into the Reserves on a regular basis. He has been on the bench for the first-team in previous weeks but with the emergence of Craig Eastmond in the holding role plus Francis Coquelin’s recent excursions in the side, chances have been limited.
England Under 19’s have been in touch after Emmanuel’s previous title winning experiences with his adopted country but he has told Arsenal.com that in future, he’ll be available for the Black Stars.
“I have always said that, no matter what, I will always play for Ghana because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian.”
“England has done a lot for me and my family but at the end of the day I can’t see myself playing for England because I am not English – I am from Ghana.”
Ghana’s selectors now have a second reason to watch Arsenal after defender Daniel Boateng also pledged his allegiance to them last year.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I suppose you play for the country that your heart belongs too. I would imagine Danny Welbeck for example would prefer to play for england than ghana because he was born in Manchester.
I dont care who he plays for as long as the ANC is changed to not take place every 2 years!
Its pity just in terms of the fact he will go to the ACN every two years
The England selectors could hardly be upset about this. They didn’t seem to rate him much. Still, good decision from Frimpong i say. Good luck to him in the future.
I wonder if he really did say that the first time he got called up for the Under-16s? It’s easy for him to be saying it now because he hasn’t been selected recently.
My guess is he has got the call now because Gary Gardner has recently got an injury which could (looking like a probably now) rule him out for the upcoming games.
Even so, I don’t like it when dual nationality players switch allegencies, regardless of which country, not just these players in England. They should just choose at an early age and refuse to play when called up.
I’m pretty sure if he said what he is claiming to have said in the past, he wouldn’t have ever been called up for the Under 16s or 17s. Why waste time with a player that will leave your country in the future?
Sanchez Watt will now most likely be the lone Arsenal representative.
Ghana youth look like a promising generation so its probably why he wants to be amoungst them.
im pleased for him
How tall is frimpong?
Van… Him and his friends have been posting stuff on facebook for ever about him “being the future of the black stars (ghana)”.
Rio Ferdinand statement against Manuel Almunia decision to play for England has not help situation. It was not for him to make dicision whether he keeps the post or not. Go back and check R.F.statement
At least with Frimpong the Ghana youth teams gets another genuinely young players. Anyone who thinks that African youth teams are made of genuinely young players in the majority will not understand why our societies are so corrupt!
I wish Manny good luck. But as a Ghanaian…I’m pretty sure he realizes that playing Defensive Midfield is a tough position to get into with the Black Stars. Not only do we have Michael Essien and Anthony Annan we have young Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu…who probably isn’t much older than Frimpong. But the more talent we have the better. Now all we need is Mario Balotelli
Rio Ferdinand statement against Manuel Almunia decision to play for England has not helped situation. It was not for him to make decision whether he keeps the post or not. Go back and check R.F.statement. although the boy had already played in the youth team but hearing the stuffs that came out from R.F. against the Almunia Frimpong may have a change of heart for the England senior team. He might not come out to tell you his reasons for his stands now.
Not suprised by his decision
He is a good football player but England have better prospects in his position, but anyway good luck to Emmanuel Frimpong on his future international career with Ghana.
Like who, Kentpaul?
Hmm, funny decision but fair enough, his call. In any case I think the boy will struggle to get first team chances given the reliability of Song and potential of Coquelin and Eastmond. Frimpong’s always looked a tad limited to me by comparison.
I think it’s a blow for England.
he is super strong physically, with a great tackle. I don’t think England have that many good young tough tackling defensive midfielders
I’m not saying he will make it, I don’t know, but I remember being very impressed with him against the spurs in the youth cup
Anyway, that’s his right to chose Ghana
Emmanuel Yaw Frimpong looks like he will be a future World Star. I think he will be better than Denilson, Diaby, Song, within a few years. Englands ‘loss’ , Black Stars gain.
Well I agree with what Van said. Is there no loyalty left in the world anymore?? I guess the only real problem I have with this, is that he played for the England youth, but if he has made a final decision, then that’s quite alright. At least he hasn’t waited any longer and made it a bit more complicated.
Gooner
Ryan Tunnicliffe, Ross Barkley, Jonjo Shelvey, just to name a few, and even though he is younger than Emmanuel Frimpong Chucks Aneke is a better prospect in central midfield.
I’ve been expecting this for the best part of a year. And wondered how many others would play the same trick. Very disappointing and one less Arsenal English player.
Tbf, this is old news. Published on arsenal.com a week ago.
J, are you going to make a post to help clarify Ansah’s comments post-united?
I’m really hoping it’s an imposter
http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=61161
Frimpong is a talented player but he wont play in midfield. I reckon Wenger will convert him into a right back or something.
Also JS What do you think of Lansbury can u see him breaking through nexts eason. Wenger the other day said Lansbury will be a big big player for Arsenal
Kent Paul, Jonjo Shelvey and Aneke are different kind of players
I’m not sure Tunnyclife is as impressive physically as Frimpong
j he never rejected england to play for ghana
he said that if ghana call him up he will defintely take it so u shouldnt be making articles of fake stuff
jus like u did with chris smalling
James Hinde,
I’m interested to read J’s articles, so if you think he makes everything up, why are you reading it?
Do you have nothing else to do?
Honestly , Why do you read it?
I think this could effect his development with Arsenal.
There is always talk in a change of rules etc regarding UK and EU players and if it comes down to a 50/50 between him and another player, common sense suggests you should go with the UK born player.
Wrong? Maybe, but it is a factor. Like others have mentioned, the ACN is also a factor.
Hes good enough, hell play, maybe not favoured tho.
J – Would love to know more about the Zak Ansah story. Looks like he has now deleted his facebook page.
Yeah he has, Benik AFobe did the same thing.
J, did you manage to contact Zak?
Jonjo Shelvey is, I think, the biggest talent in England.
will be exciting to see how Watt cuts it at Southend tonight. Read that he is starting against Colchester. Huge test for him to play a tough physical and competitive game, and he proves himself for more to follow. Gibbs proved himself in L1
Me…What about Jack Wilshire?
I never say such about people, but this guy is such a pain in the ass. So tired of him and his petition to sack Wenger. Encourage all guys who believe in the youth and club project to bug the guy a bit. Nothing constructive about this so called supporter, pure shite.
http://arsenalaction.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/poor-tactics-stubborn-lack-of-spending-in-arsene-we-trust/
not him pure shite, but his no respect no discussion attitude and this petition to sack Wenger he keeps pushing about. That is no respect, and pure shite
@Shane, I would take Jonjo over Jack…at the moment.
JET in a ‘DJs vs Ravers’ game
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=460188955076&ref=nf#!/video/video.php?v=460188955076
The England youth coaches also might have the same problem with Raheem Stirling as well in the future, if he continues to progress at his current rate that is, because he was born and raised in Jamaica till the age of 5 then he came over here with his parents to live in London England.
Bartley is Off 2 sherfield utd on loan its on da Official site.
Bartley Off 2 Sheffield Utd on Loan its on da Arsenal Official site.
good on you frimpong, Ghana is a developing football nation and the signs are good too and after the selecteor behaviour towards the likes of reo-coker,ameobi,carlton cole etc, i hope more of the kids with african parents follow your lead.
Please Mr Wenger! Bring Szczesky back home!
We are really waiting for him. a great keeper already!
Great post as always and it’s all good as long as frimpong does it for Arsenal that’s the main thing.
Just saw a great post have a look. http://fortheloveofarsenal.blogspot.com/2010/02/doom-and-gloom-mongers-go-do-one-and.html
Me..see this is my problem with football now days,,,the pressure on these young players is ridiculous. Jack Wilshire is already a u21 international, led a team to a fa youth cup title, scored for te first team at 16, played in friendlies verse Real Madrid at 16, has shown ridiculous abilties verses top flight players, is sent onloan to a premier league club, not a lower league club, already played in the champions league, but all that isnt enough at his age. When your in the spotlight at a big club people only see negative and that has to wear on a player. Always hearing negative. While a kid is playing in league 1 with none of the spotlight that Jack is under and doesnt have close to the same resemay for international team….is some how a bigger talent. If Jonjo played at Arsenal,Man Utd,Chelsea..etc, we would all harp on every little flaw he shows, but that fact that we dont see him every week, we only here a see his good qualities.
Leffe szxzesky should go in goal right now.Why wait.
This is his choice. He was born in Ghana so this is who he should play for. Was him mom or dad a brit? http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
@ islington haye maker: Escactly mate!! Even Buffon and Casillas started at such a young age. If he is that exceptional, which he is, he should start ahead of Almunia and Fabianski!!!! But I think Wenger is in “love” with Almunia or Fabianski, lol!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOY63kPwFYo
@Shane, I completely agree with you ;). But I still think that Jonjo is better as an all rounder…and I think he’ll make it more than I think Wilshere will make it. It is certainly very connected to what you said, the burden of fulfilling high expectations.
Me…On pure potential tho I think Jack Wilshire has the talent to be the first world class, european player of the year true creative player in a while for England. Yes, whether he reaches that potential or not is a different story but it is still there.
arsenal4ever – you are the biggest glory hunter I’ve ever seen
Dudu, great link the you tube video!
Kyle Bartley starts for Sheffield United against Preston
Wilshere starting for Bolton tonight
No problem Sebjob ;)
Yes! My boy Mark Randall has scored!
Oh What o goal by a player we don’t need
I was blown away by some of those saves from Szczesny!! I know they only shoewd his best bits, but it sounds like he hasn’t faltered at all. And he could end up being as tall as 6’6 or 6’7 if he hasn’t finished growing. I’ve never seen Jonjo Shelvey play before. Is he more of a central player like Ramsey?? Wilshere is central too, but purely offensive right now, and he’ll probably remain so which is just fine.
I don’t know which position he prefers, he currently plays like a second striker, an is quite effective. I see him in that Gerrard role
Well then it’s pretty hard to compare him with Wilshere I think. Players like Wilshere are harder to find, and it might take a little longer for him to develop. He needs to get a lot stronger, but everything else is there. I think Wilshere could become a smaller and left footed version of Fabregas. He has the same passing style, you know that flair in the follow-through kind of. And he has vision. I don’t know how well Wilshere played today, but I hope he did well. I’m waiting for a match report on the net somewhere.
I watched the game for a while, when I found out he’s in, and he impressed me with his strength…tough he didn’t try those “deadly passes” cause played on the top level, he did create some magic. Also, he helped in defense, covering players, overall I think he did really well, and hopefully he’ll keep his place.
Simpson and Randall scored, Bartley and Lansbury played the whole game and Wilshere had 70 minutes at the top level :) good midweek
J is just getting research on the loanees games one, then he will post something.
Really?? Cool. I’m so glad he finally got to play. And Man City is a good team to test yourself against. It’s good that he helped out the defense as well!! I don’t know if he would be told to do that here, or if that is a part of his natural game. I think it’s good for him to get extra coaching and advice. I’m not slating our coachesof course, I’m just saying it might add something new to his Arsenal that maybe we didn’t pick up. You never know. It sounds like he was more comfotable than in his last couple of games for Arsenal, which is the main thing right now.
Gavin Hoyte again didn’t make it off Brighton’s bench again. Not great considering its a sixth from bottom League One squad.
Bartley was receiving a treatment off field when Uzd conceded.
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10418~47986,00.html
Santos have apparently signed Zezinho on loan with a view to sign onto a permanent deal, likely pushing Arsenal out of a deal with the young man.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5925973,00.html
@AmeriGoon, I’m sure it’s well thought by our coaching staff :) or I hope so :D
PS. Can anyone put any links to see Simpsons and Randalls goals?
Thanks.
Milo…Jack Wilshire looks very similar to Iniesta.
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Hello, as you can see this is my first post here.
Hope to get some help from you if I will have any quesitons.
Thanks and good luck everyone! ;)