Allardyce: Arsenal need Brits

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has commented that he believes Arsenal need more British players and criticised them for their lack of English talent. Allardyce have had a war of words for a few seasons and Arsene Wenger will be pleased to have got one over his old rival in the victory over Newcastle already this season.

"To get to be like Arsenal, it takes eight to 10 years," said Allardyce. "The fruits of what Arsene has achieved are that he has developed very, very good young players and also sold very, very good young players that haven't quite been good enough for Arsenal.

"But it's disappointing that he doesn't seem to develop any British players. If I had one criticism, that would be it.

"You don't see anyone from the Academy at Arsenal from the age of nine. It's not like with Steven Taylor here or Kevin Nolan for me at Bolton.

"Of course, for a club of this size and stature, an international scouting network is a necessity.

"But we have to support the Academy from the recruitment point of view from the British Isles and then scout out from there."