By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 15th December 2007
Arca: No to passport
Julio Arca could obtain a British passport and be eligible to play for England - but the Argentine has no plans to do so.
The 26-year-old has spent more than five years in England, firstly with Sunderland and now with Middlesbrough, and he is eligible to apply for citizenship.
Arca, who was previously captain of Argentina's Under-21s, has never been called into the senior squad - but he does not see himself wearing the Three Lions.
"I think I could apply because I have lived in the UK for over five years, nearly eight in fact," said Arca.
"I could change my nationality. I already have dual nationality (Italian through a grandmother) so I could change to English, but I don't think so.
"I would not consider it. It may be even harder to play for England than Argentina. I don't think it is going to happen that an England manager would come up to me and tell me to play for England. I cannot see it. You need to know something about the history of England to get the passport, don't you?
"I do not think it is right. If you are born in one country, you should not play for another country. Never say never but I don't see that opportunity."
Arca is fit again after suffering knee ligament damage earlier in the season and he is in-line to make his first Premier League start since September, when Boro face Derby on Saturday.

Beckham - Henry isn't a cheat
Hull 3-3 West Ham - Zola
Hull 3-3 West Ham - Brown
Hull v West Ham - 2nd Half
Chelsea v Wolves - 1st half
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Laws
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Grant
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Keane
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| 13:30 | Everton vs Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Portsmouth vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Hull 3 - 3 West Ham | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Take a look back at what Liverpool and Man City fans had to say following a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Carlo Ancelotti was delighted after Chelsea beat Wolves 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to maintain their dominance at the top of the table.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.
Arsene Wenger says that his side were punished for a lack of mental preparation against Sunderland.
Steve Bruce feels that Sunderland have put their run of bad luck to rest after beating Arsenal.
Sir Alex Ferguson called on his side to put more pressure on Chelsea following the win over Everton.