'Football Focus' this week featured an excellent and revealing discussion between a former and current Republic of Ireland international as Kevin Kilbane sat down and chatted to Harry Arter.
During the week Kilbane outlined his strong feelings regarding players born outside the country declaring to play for the Republic of Ireland, saying he has "a problem with" players declaring for Ireland when "it wouldn't have been (their) dream to play for that country". So it was fairly apt that he should be the one to interview Harry Arter for BBC's 'Football Focus' show.
Arter has played for the Republic of Ireland at underage all the way up to senior level and so it was ironic that he was subject to vitriolic abuse when rumours abounded that he was going to quit Ireland and play for England. His strong allegiance to Ireland is something to be especially thankful for this season as he has been bossing the midfield for Bournemouth in the Premier League.
And in his interview with Kilbane (which you can watch below) he revealed the unique way in which Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe had questioned him on his ambitions when considering buying Arter from non-league Woking:
It was almost like a job interview. He wanted to know my ambitions, he wanted to know things about my personal life - I remember thinking, 'This feels like a job interview!'
Obviously I passed the interview, which I was happy with. But I remember then his dream and ambition was to be a Premier League manager and mine to be a player in the Premier League. If anyone had heard the conversation that day and said, 'They're going to be doing it in six years time in the Premier League with Bournemouth', they'd probably be laughed at.
Arter also spoke in a very touching manner about the tragedy that befell he and his partner last year, when his partner gave birth to a stillborn child.
I was pretty open about the situation. In a way that helped me grieve...I didn't really know how to grieve at that point, I'd never lost anyone in my family. I had a lot of people messaging me saying they'd been through the same thing and how thankful they were that I'd come out and spoke about things.
If I can help one person feel one per cent better then I'll speak all day about it, if needed.
Dan Walker told viewers that Arter's partner Rachel is now expecting a child - news that was greeted with delight by viewers.
How good was @HarryArter2 on #FootballFocus today?! And such great news for him and his family #NumberEight
— PissOffPutin 🇺🇦 (@IanRMayhew) October 29, 2016
So pleased for @HarryArter2 Best news of the week.
— dcinwashington (@dcinwashington) October 29, 2016
@HarryArter2 congratulations to you both with your fantastic news. Made up for u
— James Lyons (@HamezLyons) October 29, 2016
John Hartson praised Arter after the interview, calling him a "really good player" who "plays with fire in his belly".
You can watch the full segment from 'Football Focus' below. No, we don't know what the dog at the start has to do with anything either.
