Arsene Wenger insists he does not think about the England team when searching out Arsenal's next young talent.
The Gunners have often been criticised for not helping the national side by opting to look abroad for the next big star.
However, Wenger has hit back at the critics, saying that domestic football is way ahead of the international game in importance.
"I don't think about the national team too much because footballistically (sic) it's not of too much interest," said Wenger.
"I think the game has moved on and towards the club. It's more exciting to watch club football and that is the same in other countries.
"National football is boring, you have to accept that. Club football has moved forward and international football has moved backwards, because of the multiplicity of countries.
"There is a lot of love for the country, which is why people are interested, but no-one is interested because of the level of football."
Middlesbrough chief Steve Gibson rounded on the big clubs for not developing English youngsters, but Wenger claims the depth of quality is not there in this country.
"We invest a lot of money in the academy and the development of our youth team - true that is not necessarily for English kids. But it is down to quality," he added.
"To put players in my team who are not good enough will not strengthen the England team, and would weaken the Arsenal team. Just to please Steve Gibson, that is not enough.
"Quotas will not improve the national team and it will weaken the football level - for people who love football that is annoying. We live in a world where it is not down to protection, it is about quality."
Like that also can.. Ppl shoot him, he shoot back again..
Mervyn>_<
Meh,cant really blame him Kind of tiring to hear England using this reason every time they lose