Arsenal’s English youngsters in line for Olympic 2012 venture

The English core of Arsenal’s double winning under-18 side could be in line to participate in the 2012 London Olympics, with football governing body FIFA poised to ratify the deal which would enable Great Britain to have its own team at the Olympic games.

Current rules state that countries are permitted to name players aged 23 and under in their side, although they are also allowed to name three over-aged players. However, new laws are expected to come into place which would see the maximum age reduced to players under-21 and rule out the possibility of naming any overage players.

That would clear the way for the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Jack Wilshere and Sanchez Watt to participate in the games, the football competition of which will be staged in various stadia across Britain, including Wales’ Millenium Stadium, where Aaron Ramsey would feel very much at home.

Other players who could feature include Everton’s José Baxter and Liverpool’s Tom Ince, with the best youngsters from Scotland,  Wales and the Republic of Ireland also thrown into the mix.

Confirmation of this news is expected to filter through in the next couple of days and if, as expected, the deal is ratified, then Arsenal’s youngsters may get a chance to prove themselves on the global stage.