Arsene Wenger has advised the English Football Association to act quickly to persuade Arsenal's young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong to play for England even though the youngster has stated his desire to play for his country of birth Ghana.
The Emirates Cup has also proved an excellent showcase for Frimpong, 18, who enjoyed an unexpected start against the vastly experienced Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso on Saturday, following injuries to Alex Song, Denilson and Abou Diaby.
The holding midfielder is yet to make his first-team debut and despite impressing in a friendly against Barnet, did not expect to play a part against the highly respected Rossoneri, so much so that he even told his parents not to waste their time coming to the game.
But after showing real promise during the weekend's matches against giants of the game, Frimpong is likely to be made to play for the Black Stars. The 18-year-old was born in Accra, but moved to London in 2000 and has represented England at Under-16 and 18 level, but Frimpong had indicated he has a desire to represent his birth country.
But Wenger has asked the English FA to give him a national team invite to prevent Ghana from taking the youngster way.
Wenger said: "Here you have a boy who can choose between England and Ghana.
"So if I was in your place, I would have no hesitation and invite him to play very quickly for England."
It is not a new issue, back in February the player made his first noises of a switch in country representation, telling his club’s official website.
"I have always said that, no matter what, I will always play for Ghana because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian,"
"England has done a lot for me and my family but at the end of the day I can't see myself playing for England because I am not English - I am from Ghana."
Frimpong has yet to feature for the Arsenal first team, but has been given a squad number of 41.
Last season the player made his breakthrough from the youth team to the reserves, making his second string debut verses Chelsea.