ACTUALITE |
20.11.2001
Lauren torn by club and country
Making a choice between lacing his boots for Cameroon at next January`s African Nations Cup and playing a key role in Arsenal`s domestic and European campaigns is an unresolved dilemma for Lauren Etame Mayer.
The defensive midfielder told BBC Sport Online that the conflict of interest between country and club has left him in a "very difficult" situation.
"The players that are selected to play in the Nations Cup in Mali will most likely be selected for the World Cup.
"If I don`t play at the Nations Cup, the manager may not consider me for the World Cup team and this is a source of big worry.
"But Arsenal have very important Premiership and Champions league games in January.
Lauren is seeking an urgent meeting with Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, to discuss the situation.
He says he wants to find the best solution for himself, the club and the people of Cameroon.
"If I am made to miss the African Championship, it could be a dangerous situation for me because the fans back home will not take it kindly to it".
Kanu
Lauren is confident that the Indomitable Lions are poised to successfully defend the trophy that they won in dramatic style two years ago.
Memories of that stunning victory over Nigeria`s Super Eagles in Lagos are permanently etched on his mind.
"It was an amazing final", Lauren recalls.
"We were lucky to win the penalty shoot-out - but that`s football".
Lauren is one of two Arsenal players that could be at the Nations Cup.
Nigeria`s Nwankwo Kanu is also likely to run into problems trying to keep both Arsenal and the Super Eagles happy.
But Lauren says Kanu is keen to head to Mali.
Lauren Etame Mayer
D.O.B: 19/01/77, Cameroon
Height: 180cm
Weight: 71kg
Joined Arsenal: 30/05/00
Honours: France `98, CAN 2000
"Kanu is looking forward to playing at the Nations Cup, as he has not had so many games with Arsenal this season.
"He wants to prove that he is still a world class player and I hope that he does well" he says.
But Lauren warns that Kanu should not look for favours if the Super Eagles are drawn against the Indomitable Lions.
"If Kanu tries to score against us, I will have no choice than to kick him" he says tongue-in-cheek.
"He`s my partner here but at the Nations Cup it`s a different thing - we both want to win the trophy for our countries".
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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