Frimpong opts for Ghana

Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi claims Emmanuel Frimpong will shun any call ups to the English senior side in favour of his native Ghana.

Frimpong was born in the Accra but moved to London at the age of 14. However he has already represented England 12 times at youth level and has recently been earmarked as a potential star with the English FA handing him a place in this weeks under 21s squad- only for him to pull out with a foot injury.

Along with England, the decision would also present a major blow for Arsenal who will have to face up to the possibility of their two strongest defensive midfielders being unavailable for selection  for the best part of a month as the two players respective nations do battle in the African Cup Of Nations.

"He will play for Ghana," Nyantakyi said. "We had a meeting and he told me he wants to play for Ghana. We will send off all the necessary paperwork to FIFA now and we hope to have everything concluded within two or three months.

"I am very happy for this because he is a good player."

Ghana boss Stevanovic revealed on Monday that he had spoken with the player about his international future recently.

"I am very interested in him," Stevanovic said. "He is a good player. He plays for Arsenal. They are a good club.

"Everything is possible. I wanted to speak to him to give him my vision of the future of the game."

John Pantsil, who captained Ghana at Craven Cottage, thinks Frimpong will improve as a player if he plays for Ghana.

"If he decides to play for Ghana he will have a chance to come and improve. He is from Ghana. We have lots of young players coming up. Frimpong is one of those and he would be good for the team," Pantsil said.