Arsenal started a Premier League game without a single English player for the 155th time on Saturday… 129 times more than any other top-flight side
ARSENAL will certainly be happy with their work this weekend, having comfortably beaten Tottenham 2-0 at the Emirates on Saturday.
With the tide seeming to turn in Spurs' favour in recent months, it was a huge statement win for the Gunners.
But before Gooners start getting too carried away, the match threw up one unwelcome stat for the red half of North London.
Arsene Wenger set an unwanted record of starting a Premier League game without a single English player on the pitch for the FIFTH time in a row.
Yet the non-homegrown issue is nothing new for the Gunners.
Incredibly, Arsenal have lined-up without an English star 155 TIMES in Premier League history.
While that already sounds utterly appalling, when you consider second-placed Wigan have done so just 26 times, it's all the more damning.
Furthermore, aside from the Latics, just two other teams have reached double-figures - Fulham (17) and Manchester City (12).
CAPITAL GAINS Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham equalled the record for most wins in London derbies in the Premier League
The reason for Arsenal lining up without a homegrown hero is simple... they don't have any genuine English superstars.
While the Gunners have struggled in recent seasons, still without a Premier League title since the 2003-04 Invincibles, they are always aiming for the title.
Arsenal's English players (current first-team squad)
Jack Wilshere
Theo Walcott
Rob Holding
Calum Chambers
Danny Welbeck
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Chuba Akpom
Reiss Nelson
Matt Macey
Eddie Nketiah
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That has forced Wenger to opt for a "win now" approach, buying big-money stars from all over the world, leaving the young English players to rot in the reserves.
Arsenal do, of course, still have homegrown players in the squad - even after selling Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer.
Jack Wilshere is arguably closest to breaking into the Premier League starting XI, with stars such as Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck not deemed strong enough either.
Defensive pair Rob Holding and Calum Chambers will hope to break into the team in the coming seasons.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Chuba Akpom, Reiss Nelson, Matt Macey and Eddie Nketiah are a few other hot prospects in the Gunners' ranks.
But as it stands, England boss Gareth Southgate won't be visiting the Emirates very often in the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup... or at least, not to watch the hosts.
