Sorry for the delayed response. I actually stumbled on your blog a month or so ago and bookmarked it for later viewing, then promptly forgot where I stored the bookmark. So I’m glad you showed up here.

My support for France (and Lyon) has no real story, unless you count my French great-grandmother and/or my five years of French classes. I just fell in love with the team in the Zidane days, and it outlasted him. I love the style of play, and I’m fascinated by the uneasy interaction between the multicultural team and French/European society. (Anelka and Benzema are my favorite players on the field, but off the field it’s Thuram all the way.)

And I’d be happy to see Ben Arfa and Benzema at Arsenal. In about five years. Let them grow up in France and show other young players that they don’t have to go abroad to be successful, all while winning CL for Lyon. Then their job will be done and they can leave.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll come back.

Laurie, I just found your two France blogs tonight. I read that you were excited that one of your blog entries about Benzema came up in Google searches about him. I write a blog, partially about the French National team, and I had just posted an entry about Benzema in response to a lot of interest I’ve seen in the player. You’d like Benzema and Ben Arfa to stay with Lyon, but Arsenal supporters are wondering if they could make their way to North London. I say you probably have no cause for concern, at least not from Arsenal.

I’m still looking for the fine print that explains the origin of your support for France and Lyon. I’ll make a link to this site – it looks like your other France blog is more on the dormant side.