Flamini, Ben Arfa and Cisse dropped

Mathieu Flamini’s drive in Arsenal’s midfield has not been enough to keep in him the French Euro 2008 team. Flamini has been left out of Raymond Domenech’s 23-man squad, along with Djibril Cissé, who has once again missed out on a major tournament for France in favour of the 22 year old St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Ecuador. The ex Liverpool forward missed the 2006 World Cup after breaking his leg in a warm-up.

Arsenal’s potential new signing though Marseilles youngster Samir Nasri has been preferred to the fancy footwork of Lyons protégé Hatem Ben Arfa, leaving Chelsea’s Florent Malouda as the only obvious left wing.

Although much fancied by many as winners the betting still has France on the outside fringes of the favourites, doubtless worried about having to despatch two out of Italy, unlikely, Holland, maybe, Romania, possibly, quickly.

See all the Euro 2008 odds on BetClick.