Nasri Withdraws From French Squad

When Hatem Ben Arfa pulled out of France’s international friendly match with Sweden yesterday, Raymond Domenech played his joker by calling up exciting young midfielder Samir Nasri. The Arsenal man did not even last 24 hours in the squad before withdrawing due to slight thigh problem.

L’Equipe reports that the injury problem is identical to the one that rule Nasri out of Arsenal’s Champions League qualifying match with FC Twente in the Netherlands last midweek. The 21 year-old was fit to play in Arsenal’s opening Premier League match of the weekend, delivering a brilliant debut at the Emirates Stadium.

Les Bleus were satisfied that the attacking-midfielder was carrying a problem after carrying out a light run with the player on Monday afternoon.

Raymond Domenech has already announced that Arsenal’s weekend match-winner will not be replaced in his travelling party, which is now reduced to 19 players. Les Bleus will train at Clairefontaine this morning before flying out for Sweden late this afternoon.

The final French squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mandanda (Marseille), Lloris (Lyon)

Defenders: Boumsong (Lyon), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Mexès (Roma), Clichy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Flamini (AC Milan), L. Diarra (Portsmouth), Toulalan (Lyon), Malouda (Chelsea), A. Diarra (Bordeaux), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Govou (Lyon)

Forwards: Henry (Barcelona), Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Lyon)

Robin Bairner