Three Gunners cracked the starting XI for France as Les Bleus opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup with a scoreless draw against Uruguay. Abou Diaby made the surprise start in place of Chelsea's Flourent Malouda in midfield, while Bacary Sagna and still-technically-a-Gunner William Gallas started on the back line. Gael Clichy did not feature off the bench.
Scary moment for Arsenal fans toward the end of a match that was frustrating for France offensively. Bacary Sagna was taken out with a studs-up challenge from Lodeiro, who was subsequently sent off for his second bookable foul. The way his studs caught Sagna in the shin reminded me very much of the impact between Martin Taylor and Eduardo with which I am sure we are all familiar. Thankfully, Sagna's fate was much kinder, and after a quick check-up, the man with the blond dreadlocks reappeared on the pitch, and nearly set up a winning header from Thierry Henry.
Abou Diaby, who had a fine match in midfield, drew a free kick at the top of the area a minute from time, but Henry sent the shot into the wall, and France had to settle with a nil-nil share of the points.
All four teams in Group A drew today's opening matches.
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