Jack needs media education from Arsenal.

"He is a young player with interesting views and we, as journalists and readers, always cry out for players to go beyond the usual "take it each game as it comes."

"So, on Wednesday, when Wilshere was asked about his views on foreign players playing for England, the Arsenal midfielder gave a refreshingly honest answer."

John Cross.
Isn't it about time AFC just gave this joker a job at the club ?

Speaking from the heart and putting ALL club allegiances to one side, the uproar over Wilshere's comments is as damning as it is hilarious!

First of all, personally, what he he said was absolutely SPOT ON! It wasn't even controversial. I'd go as far to say he articulated himself pretty clearly and succinctly.

Like many footballers, Wilshere isn't and will never be Winston Churchill when addressing an audience. But for those in the media, fans and any Tom, Rick or Harry with an opinion attempting to put a sinister twin on the comments, please.... As Americans say, get with the program!

@ Moist
Spot on

its actually boring, the worst part is he actually gave an analogy to explain what he meant:

'If i went to live in Spain for 5 years, should i be eligible to play for Spain'

yet people still chose to criticize

The uproar is actually more embarrassing than the statement itself.

Jack Wilshere isn't xenophobic. He just didn't put his point across very well. We discusssed what Wilshere was talking about in my office yesterday and nobody could come up with an agreement on what constiutes English. Is it parentage, is it where you were born, is it where you grew up? It could be any of those things. What we did agree on though was that someone like Januzaj shouldn't be in the Englandd team. His parents aren't English, he wasn;t born here, and he didn't grow up in the country; me here when he was 16 and he's only 18.

All a bit of a media storm over nothing.

Nothing wrong with Wilshere's comments. They weren't racist, xenophobic, or even really that controversial. It's not his fault half of the population is thick as fook and listen to the media carp, instead of listening to the actual interview.

The only part of Wishere's interview that irked me in any way was his 'We're English, we tackle hard, fight to the death, have tea on the lawn etc..' schtick...

That's half the problem with the England set-up. The bite, bark and b o llo ck mentality. What got my goat even more was that Wilshere is in the 5% of players in the England set-up that actually 'palys football' and is naturally gifted/technically sound, to play the game, rather than launch hopeful 60 yard balls into 'no mans land'.

The comments are controversial they have caused controversy.

The comments are controversial they have caused controversy.

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The comments have caused controversy because that is what the media wanted. If people actually listened/watched the interview, instead of only swallowing what the media have spun it as, most people with more than 2 braincells to rub together would most likely have no problem with his comments. Very, very few people I have spoken to have problems with his comments unless they are rival fans just on the wind up.

KP is upset by it, but he is a complete at the best of times. He may play for England, but that's only because his home nation didn 't want him. Have Mo Farrah, Froome, Strauss, or anyone else in KP's list kicked up a fuss?

KP totally lost the point tbh. Jack's comments weren't even remotely aimed at him or any of the names he mentioned. He's just making a point and I agree with him 100% even though I'm not English myself

The Gun - I agree the media has made the most of the story, and as has been pointed out - he couldn't win, the headlines will either portray him as xenophobic or unpatriotic.

The comments have caused controversy, so they are controversial. To be honest the whole issue of international football is slightly controversial - you are limiting someone's ability to play just on the basis of their nationality... the rule will be challenged in court, or so watered down that anyone can qualify as being English - and international football will become even less relevant.

KP is offended by the comments. A couple of weeks ago when discussing Tottenham fans chanting there were several people who suggested if any one is offended the songs shouldn't be sung. Presumably the same people believe if KP is offended the comments shouldn't have been said.

Just because Mo Farrah hasn't 'kicked up a fuss' that doesn't mean he agrees with the statement... and to be honest are you suggesting that only people not born in England can be offended by the comments?

But the matter was quite specific. And then clarified AGAIN after the interview.

The issue was, the player (Wilshere) felt/feels, that IF aprofessional player, as an 'adult' moves to a country AS A FOOTBALLER (& has previously not been capped internationally) & decides because he has citizenship, that he wants an international career, regardless of where he was born, parentage, ancestry etc, then it really does make a mockery of the international game!

I think of myself as an open-minded kinda' guy, but for my money, all Wilshere said was the truth.

The controvery is caused by thiis line more than anything I reckon.

"The only people who should play for England are English people."

We know what he meant but it does sound like the sort of thing you'd hear down a EDL march.

"The only people who should play for England are English people."

We know what he meant but it does sound like the sort of thing you'd hear down a EDL march.

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Totally get your angle.

But at the risk of sounding like a Daily Mail reader, this whole thing does my head in!

He's talking about the England football team, not some poor sod claiming political asylum from the Congo...

Arggggh!!!

Mr Mortimer,

No I am not suggesting only non English born players can be offended by the comments. I don't even know how you came to that conclusion from my post? What I am saying is that only rival football fans and KP seem to be kicking up a fuss, because if you actually listen to the interview, there isn't much to moan about. I could be wrong, but who else is making a mountain out of this molehill? KP is a limelight loving prat, and although he is entitled to an opinion, I value it as much as I would value being the victim of a gang rape. On any subject! I'm not on twitter, maybe you are and can tell me who else of any note slated Jack? Or even backed up KP?

I value it as much as I would value being the victim of a gang rape.

==========

I agree, KP is an absolute tool, a fence foal, a two-pinned-in-plug. And the prospect of 'gang rape' is something I've no aspirations to be on the business-end of! No sir, not even as a bit of 'role-play'!

I agree, KP is an absolute tool, a fence foal, a two-pinned-in-plug. And the prospect of 'gang rape' is something I've no aspirations to be on the business-end of! No sir, not even as a bit of 'role-play'!

The Gun

I just wondered why you only quoted the sportspeople you did. Are their views more important on this particular subject than anyone else's?

I agree entirely the comments themselves have been railroaded by opposition fans and the media. It is unfortunate that serious debate is so often ruined by one-up-manship.
This is particularly true when a discussion goes near the danger-zone of nationalism or xenophobia - common sense goes out of the window!

Having said that, there is a genuine discussion to be had over who qualifies to play for England, and indeed the whole notion of international football.

I am not condemning Wilshere by any means, though I have to admit I am surprised he came out with such a statement. It is controversial, it has caused controversy. As with KP and anyone else though... who really cares about their opinions anyway, they are professional sportsmen, not philosophers.

Mr Mortimer

I'm in a rush so only a basic reply, but I agree with everything in your last post.

Must be a first for this website!

Haha - it happens occasionally Gun!