That's right, up to a point. We already certainly know he's a not-very-physically-robust midget, which would rule out the David Batty role. And he doesn't score goals either, which rules out a Dennis Wise role. He also doesn't kick people so much as he gets kicked himself, which counts against him when compared to either of them.
What's left? Scholes?
And you're mistaken about his Englishness; Wenger would've moved him aside ages ago had he been foreign.
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."
All of the above applies to Arteta. Foreign, stuck with him for years, Wenger loved him (and rightly so).
I just meant that him being English shouldn't make it harder for him to be whatever it is he is supposed to be. So finding a foreign player who has managed it should be enough- we dont need an english example.
Different matter entirely; Arteta is actually foreign. The same way Wenger Himself is foreign.
I see what you mean, but I think Wenger was stung by the criticism He received when He first began to field a side with no English players in it and since resolved not to let it happen again. Too often. The point though is that England, or the Premier League, doesn't tend to produce players like Arteta. Or Jack Wilshere. There must be a reason for this.
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."
Because we hack them to pieces. Or 'put them under pressure, letting them know you are there' depending on your standpoint.
Wenger is right that Jack is a special case, as are you (right that is). THere is a hell of a footballer in there somewhere and we may as well have one last go to see if we can find him.
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."