Nasri’s in, Ben Arfa’s out for France-Sweden

August 18th, 2008 | by: Laurie |

First thing: Check out this beauty of an assist that Hatem ben Arfa pulled off for Marseille in Champions League last week.

Second thing: Hatem is out and Samir Nasri is in for France’s game against Sweden on Wednesday.

What do you think — is there intrigue here, or just one player coming and one going?

We can be boring and accept this at face value, which would mean believing that Samir wasn’t called up because of his knee injury, and Hatem is stepping down because he really does have adductor issues.

Or we can get snarky and say that Samir wasn’t called up because of his attitude, and Hatem is stepping down because he’s not ready to be on a team where he’s still feuding with at least one teammate.

What? Of course I have no proof. This is pure snarky gossipy guesswork. But I’m just thinkin’ that there were rumors of the youngsters and the oldsters feuding at Euros. And Magnusson over at Marseille Offside had this interesting post quoting Marseille’s Pape Diouf discussing Nasri and Ribery, saying, “It’s hardly news” that Ribery and Nasri hate each other.

So was Nasri left off and Gourcuff included to send a message that nobody’s untouchable and that playing well with others is a requirement? At least for the young guys?

I have no idea. Maybe Raymond was just worried about Samir’s injury. What do you think?

As far as Ben Arfa, he’s injured. Or at least he’s “injured.” And understandably tired.

“Physically I’m tired, three matches in a week, it’s not easy with a return like that. As well I hurt my adductors,” said Ben Arfa after helping his side to a 4-0 win over Auxerre in French league action on Sunday.

Very valid, very understandable. But how many young internationals who are still trying to prove themselves would miss a friendly — where Domenech is likely going to decide on his World Cup qualifying team — because they’re “tired?” My guess is that something else is really up here. Probably that feud thing.

Too bad, too. Our 2010 team could really use the talents of both Nasri and Ben Arfa. Nasri scored in his Arsenal debut this weekend, (click here for video) and Ben Arfa? Go back and watch that video again. Watch the way he glides past defenders and somehow manages to slip that ball through. We NEED that.

C’mon, boys. If there’s anything going on here other than physical injury? Anything at all?

It’s time to grow up now.

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Doumé

Oh Gosh Laurie, I don’t know anymore! All I know is both of these guys have talent, and they have shown it this weekend. Just sweet stuff. Maybe Raymond decided to be nice to club owners. Nasri will do just FINE in my book instead of Ben Harfa – frankly, we’ll see, for both, talent is SO there, it’s all about attitude (careful, I have some Zidane clips ready to go if any of these guys act like divas). Just as we’re clear as day that TiFranck prevails whenever healthy. Ribery “gets” it.

Hmmm…..has there been a mute voice in all that? Somebody who never pronounced himself pro/anti Domenech? Oh but yes, he was vacationing in
Guadeloupe “turning the page”, he still negates a generational conflict and basically has been through all that in 2002. Our not-so-often spoken about William Gallas (who scored a Ronaldo-like goal this week ) finally opened up:
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080818_215939_gallas-a-fait-le-vide_Dev.html
“It’s not a defeat that should put everything into question…in 2006 he did great…for 2010 it’ll go very fast…it’s important to have a coach who already knows his players…”
Doumé

Oh and by the way, if you are still up at this time of night, and that the words “Water-Cube” and “Bird’s Nest” sound familiar, you are bonified Olympic Geeks, just like me!
sandrahn

latest info on arsenal sites are that nasri’s out of the friendly
metamoralia

In, Out, In, Out … apparently, it’s true … Nasri’s out again, and Domenech won’t be naming a replacement.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080819_110747_nasri-forfait-pas-remplace_Dev.html

Henry’s the captain. And Sweden will be without Ibrahimovic. Has anyone seen France’s jersey for tomorrow:

http://www.fff.fr/bleus/456553.shtml

Something I didn’t know: Gallas and Henry were both born on the same day – August 17, 1977.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Metamoralia, I knew Henry’s birthday was Aug. 17 but didn’t realize about Gallas. Julien Escude also shares the same birthday, but he was born in 1979.

And Zidane and Patrick Vieira also share a birthday — June 23.

I think that when Raymond pays to have one horoscope done, he doesn’t want to repeat it.
metamoralia

That’s funny …
Seb

Another interesting birthday for guys who could make it on Les Bleus someday is May 7th: Jérémy Ménez, Serge Gakpé, Pierre Ducasse.

I’m almost thinking the ego/brat thing has to do with having outstanding technique. Look at all the guys who allegedly have issues with each other: Ribéry, Benzema, Ben Arfa, Nasri. Those are our guys who have the best technique, besides Henry.
Jean Pierre

How do you know about their arguments?:D I mean, it’s not that I don’t believe you lot, but still, you know, it’s not a nice thing to hear when you want to admire these young talented guys like when you admired Les Bleus with Zidane and Henry
Jean Pierre

How do you know about their arguments?:D I mean, it’s not that I don’t believe you lot, but still, you know, it’s not a nice thing to hear when you want to admire these young talented guys like when you admired Les Bleus with Zidane and Henry