We’re getting towards the business end of the 2026 World Cup, and it looks like we may well get a winner from Arsenal.
Three of the four favourites for the tournament are England, Spain and France, with each of those sides having a representative from Arsenal.
Unsurprisingly, France are considered the favourites to win the tournament.
Les Bleus have an incredibly talented side, but speaking to ITV Sport, Patrick Vieira has claimed there’s one Arsenal player he wishes could be in this France team.
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Patrick Vieira wishes Jurrien Timber was French
Vieira was asked which Arsenal player he wishes played for France.
The former Arsenal captain had a think, and, at one point, he contemplated picking Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, in the end, Vieira said he’d love Jurrien Timber in his side.
“I would say Timber,” Vieira said about the £40m man.
“I think he had a difficult end of the season with Arsenal. But when he was on the field, he was, I think, one of the best players. If I will give you a name, I would say Timber.”
This is probably the right call from Vieira as if there’s any weak point in this France team it’s at full-back.
Jules Kounde, of course, is a fantastic player, but he has naturally been a centre-back for most of his career.
Timber is also capable of playing as a left-back, and that’s where the France team is perhaps weakest.
Lucas Digne is a decent player, but he’s not necessarily at the calibre you’d expect for a World Cup winning side to have.
If Timber was in this France team, they would undoubtedly be the heavy favourites to win the World Cup.
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