Catch a rising star, says Arsene Wenger

Wenger’s call to Capello: snap up Arsenal midfield prodigy before Ghana!

Published: 05 August, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY

ARSENE Wenger has suggested an Arsenal starlet who only a few fans have even heard of could one day play for England.

The Gunners’ chief said England should snap up central midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong as soon as possible, in case he becomes tempted to take up an option to play for Ghana instead.

Frimpong, 18, was blooded in the Emirates Cup over the weekend, the pre-season tournament where Arsenal drew with AC Milan but won the trophy with a 3-2 win over Celtic.

Frimpong comfortably adopted an anchor role in front of the back four similar to the one usually taken by Alex Song – and previously held by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

And while supporters raved about the performances of Jack Wilshere, Wenger was keen that Frimpong was not forgotten.

“I think he’s done really well,” said the manager. “He will have a big future. At what level? It is very difficult to predict. Let’s be cautious and not make stars out of them before they are stars.”

Frimpong was born in Accra in Ghana but moved to north London when he was nine so, in theory, could play for either the African nation or England. 

He has won two Youth League titles and the FA Youth Cup with Arsenal but has yet to make the first team in the Premier League. 

The wait could go on as Frimpong may face a spell on loan to gain experience or at the very least a role in the team Wenger employs for the Carling Cup.

Wenger said: “Here you have a boy who can play for England and Ghana, so if I was England I would have no hesitation to get him to play for them as soon as possible.”

Arsenal might have to call on their talented but inexperienced youngsters this season having seen their ranks reduced by the exits of Eduardo, Philippe Senderos, William Gallas and Sol Campbell. The only two new faces are striker Marouane Chamakh and defender Laurent Koscielny.