Club vs Country

The debate that has gone on forever. No, not who'd win in a fight between Superman and Indiana Jones... Club vs Country. Which means more? What would you prefer?

The vast majority of people in England support teams in the Premier League. Nothing new, not much research required there. But how do those fans feel watching England? Is it harder for Fulham fans to cheer for John Terry as captain? Ashley Cole is certainly one of the least popular footballers around (thanks to Heat magazine and his own biography), but he's also one of the best left-backs in the world and would walk into most teams.

But what about Arsenal fans? In the last 10 years, Gunners in the Three Lions have been hard to come by. In the early days of the Wenger era, it would be safe to say that many Arsenal fans adopted France as they're second team, and the sight of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit celebrating the third goal in Les Bleus win over Brazil in 1998 would bring joy...

Arsenal win the World Cup (as said the Daily Mirror headline)

But in February 1989, Arsenal lined up against the French national team at Highbury (managed by Platini, with Cantona in the line up)... Had it been repeated under the Wenger, who would the fans support? It got close in 1999, when England lined up against the World Champions at Wembley, with England featuring Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Keown and Winterburn as sub, versus the French who included Petit, Vieira and Anelka (then of Arsenal). PS Arsenal beat France 2-0, while France beat England 2-0. Telling?

Arsenal beat the French at Highbury

It's just a theory, but one wonders if the fans occasionally let it known how they feel - how many Man Utd fans were abusing Wayne Rooney after England's lifeless showing against Algeria in 2010? You'd imagine Evertonians enjoyed the chance!

Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...

So in this international week, something to think about. Would you prefer your team to win the Champion's League or for your country to win the World Cup? Or maybe just for your star striker to not have to worry about a flight to Montenegro this week...




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