Absent Friends

There must have been mixed feelings for Robert Pires as he watched France defeat Togo 2-0 to record their first World Cup win since lifting the trophy on home territory in 1998 and advance to the last 16 and a date with Spain.

He would have taken great pleasure in the massive contribution of two of his former Arsenal team mates. Patrick Vieira, captain for the day, produced a colossal performance on his 30th birthday, scoring the first and making the second goal, and Thierry Henry, who seemed somehow liberated by the absence of Zidane, had his best international game for a long time, the highlight of which was a crisp trademark finish from Vieira’s headed pass.

And as he watched Frank Ribery squander a succession of good chances, he would have known that had he been presented with those opportunities, he would have been celebrating a hat-trick.

It is a view that thousands of Arsenal fans who have delighted in what Pires has done for the club would share. But it is curious that while they can recognise his genius, France manager Raymond Domanech cannot. Or will not.