France driven by cross-channel traffic

France coach Raymond Domenech may have had his problems with Premier League managers but English football continues to benefit Les Bleus.

Diplomatic incident
Back in March, diplomatic relations between Domenech and Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger hit an all-time low. Then-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry sustained an injury on international duty, prompting his club's French boss to accuse Domenech of "rudeness" in his handling of the star forward.

Chelsea spat
"This Mr Wenger is seriously starting to annoy me," said Domenech. The season before, Domenech had rowed with Chelsea FC's manager José Mourinho after the former tempted Claude Makelele out of international retirement for a second time. "These French players are treated like slaves," said the self-anointed 'Special One'.

Premier League dominance
However, for all the friction, the France team and the big English clubs continue to have a fruitful relationship. For the upcoming UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania, ten members of Domenech's 23-man squad play in England: Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Abou Diaby, Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Flamini, Makelele, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Louis Saha (now withdrawn through injury).

Young Gunners
Arsenal, in particular, play a major role in French affairs. Three Gunners midfielders – Diaby, Diarra and Flamini – are in the France selection and with all still under 25, it seems likely that the teasing Domenech and the stern Wenger are going to have to get used to each other.

'No1 fan'
Wenger has certainly taken full advantage of the French system. In the 1990s, he brought the likes of Patrick Vieira, Henry and Anelka to Highbury to dramatic effect and, hardly surprisingly given what French talent has done for his side, Wenger said recently: "I'm the No1 fan of the France team."

French repute
Some 16 Arsenal players have now been picked by France and the club have a mighty reputation among French players. Defender Sagna, a recent arrival from AJ Auxerre, said: "You don't know that you will get into the national team when you join Arsenal, but you know that you will have a chance if you play well." English-style football has certainly allowed French stars to shine. "This league produces the best football in Europe," said Manchester United FC left-back Evra. "I respect other sides and leagues – maybe some are more tactically competitive – but I have never experienced anything like the Premier League."