FAIL: Jeff Stelling And Paul Merson Want Harry Arter Called Up For England, Despite Playing Twice For Republic Of Ireland (Video)

Alan Duffy

2nd, October 2016

2 Comments

Players from the Republic of Ireland are all too often erroneously grouped with British players by the footballing media. However, Sky’s Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson took it all to a new level ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action.

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Discussing the English national team on a Facebook Live event, Stelling and Merson pondered Harry Arter’s possible inclusion in interim boss Gareth Southgate’s first squad, despite the fact that the Bournemouth midfielder already has two caps under his belt for the Republic of Ireland.

Mentioning Arter’s Three Lions credentials, Stelling says:

Gareth Southgate names his first England squad this week, and is there the remotest chance that Harry Arter gets called up? And if not, why not?

However, rather than responding “because he plays for Ireland, Jeff, you gobshite”, Merson replies with an equally misinformed opinion, saying:

Exactly, why not. He gets on the ball, he is a good footballer. He has loads of energy. Something has got to change with this England squad. What is the point in just picking the same players? Give these players a chance.

You’ll find the Arter discussion around the six-minute mark.

The 26-year-old Arter was indeed born in England, in Sidcup. However, via his Sligo grandparents, the Cherries’ midfielder chose to represent the Republic of Ireland, earning his first senior cap (rather ironically) against England in June 2015.

The playmaker followed that up with his first start against the Netherlands in May of this year, before injury cruelly robbed him of a place in Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 squad.

Surely a seasoned, knowledgeable pro such as Stelling should have known this? (We’ll forgive Merson as he’s prone to brainfarts).

Posted in Bournemouth, FAIL, Media, Videos

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2 Comments

  1. John says:

    Unfortunately for the person writing the article he or she may still end up the gobdshite as if he still hasn’t played in competitive match the English could pinch him back. Fingers crossed not

  2. Richard says:

    Maybe it’s Mr Duffy who deserves the “Fail!” after his name, if today’s breaking news from Ireland is correct?

    Arter Makes Switch to England writes Daniel McDonnell

    Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has made the controversial decision to switch his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England in an unexpected move on Tuesday.  It is believed the F.A. had made contact with the player over the weekend after a host of good performances that brought him to the attention of Sam Allardyce before he was sacked last week for indescretions.  Incoming interim manager Gareth Southgate is keen to add Arter to the squad as soon as possible and to tie down the player who last week Franz Beckenbauer described as ‘the new Frank Rijkaard.’  Arter nor his agent were available for comment on Monday.”

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