Vieira’s French arsenal await England

ARSENAL midfielder Patrick Vieira is relishing the prospect of coming face to face with some familiar Premiership rivals when France and England clash in the European Championships next summer.

The defending champions were drawn alongside England, Switzerland and Croatia in Pool B and the Anglo-French clash will be both team's opening game in the newly-refurbished Stadium of Light in Lisbon on June 13.

"I think it's going to be an open game, it's going to be an open group and anyone can beat anybody. It's going to be difficult for us," the Arsenal captain said. "The first three points will be important. We are quite confident in ourselves but we know it will be a difficult game."