Arsenal Are Helping the English Game, Says Arsène Wenger: The Nightly EPL

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger responded to criticism today from England manager Roy Hodgson who complained earlier this week that there are far too few English football players plying their trade in the Premier League.

Here’s what Wenger had to say regarding the matter:

“You have to find a good mixture. I think the good mixture is to produce the players from your own academies, and buy top, top, top class players. Let’s not forget that in Germany there are five million people playing football regularly. In England, it’s 350,000.

“The trend [of players] follows the economic strength [of the league]. But the trend is changing. I have good young English players who play: Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott. And it is not my fault if [Aaron] Ramsey is Welsh!”

Here are tonight’s Premier League news headlines:

• Arsenal are helping the English game, says Arsène Wenger — The Independent
• They think it’s all over – but not Roberto Mancini, says Brian Kidd — The Guardian
• Martinez will return to the Danish market as he attempts to bring new faces to Wigan — Sky Sports
• Everton’s David Moyes refuses to get carried away by Ross Barkley form — The Guardian
• Why Michu, Leighton Baines and Santi Cazorla can feel aggrieved at PFA awards snub — Telegraph
• Kenny Dalglish tipped for Liverpool return in ambassadorial role — The Guardian
• Arsenal scouting Japanese soccer player Takashi Inui in Germany — Japan Daily Press
• Frank Lampard calls for next Chelsea manager to be given ‘a good crack’ — The Guardian
• Penalty Statistics: Fulham have 100% record, Chelsea awarded 9 but Tottenham none — The Mail
• Kick It Out launches apps for players and fans to report abuse — The Guardian
• West Bromwich Albion prepare to tie down Steve Clarke to long-term contract — The Telegraph
• Portsmouth celebrate at last as Supporters’ Trust complete purchase — The Guardian
• Premier League red card rate is lowest in Europe – has the top flight gone soft? — The Independent
• Richard Dunne expected to leave club after Paul Lambert reveals his season is over — Telegraph
• Demba Ba interview: ‘Chelsea is the start of my career’ — The Independent
• Chelsea captain John Terry back on the bench for Liverpool trip — The Guardian

The Nightly EPL is tomorrow’s news today. It’s often tomorrow morning’s British newspaper headlines that are published the night before. We do all the work for you, combing the Internet and aggregating the news for you. Read The Nightly EPL on EPL Talk every night before bed, so you can stay on top of all the news that matters.