Arsenal joined in training by French Rugby World Cup stars and former Gunner Robert Pires as they prepare for trip to Leicester

  • Arsenal are preparing to face Leicester City in the Premier League at the King Power Stadium on Saturday
  • The Gunners found time to allow France's Rugby World Cup team to join them for a kick around after training
  • The French, who have already beaten Romania and Italy, were also able to watch Arsene Wenger's side train
  • Their next match is on Thursday against Canada at stadium:mk in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup

It's nothing unusual to see some of the best French players strutting their stuff at Arsenal's training ground, but on Friday things were a little different.

Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud have all been regulars on the north London pitches at one point but this time it was a group of players from an entirely different sport.

With six days off until they next play in the World Cup, Les Bleus' rugby side were visitors at London Colney to and to try their hand at football after witnessing the professionals in action.

French rugby player Gael Fickou takes a penalty in front of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and their former player Robert Pires

French rugby player Gael Fickou takes a penalty in front of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and their former player Robert Pires

Fickou and his team-mates were visiting Arsenal's London Colney training ground in a break from their Rugby World Cup duties

Fickou and his team-mates were visiting Arsenal's London Colney training ground in a break from their Rugby World Cup duties

The French got to see, first hand, how a top class team from another sport prepares for matches compared to their own methods

The French got to see, first hand, how a top class team from another sport prepares for matches compared to their own methods

France face Canada at Milton Keynes' stadium:mk on Thursday, so there was time for some extra-curricular activities and to witness Arsene Wenger's coaching methods in action.

Having won their first two games of the Rugby World Cup, they may not need much more help, but a day of unwinding looked to have Phillipe Saint-Andre's well relaxed ahead of the rest of the tournament.

Meanwhile, things are a bit more stressful for the Gunners. They travel to in-form Leicester City on Saturday after defeat at Chelsea last week, hoping to build on their north London derby victory over Tottenham in midweek.

Leicester are a place above Arsenal in fourth, having impressed with an unbeaten start to the campaign under new boss Claudio Ranieri.

Wenger believes the Italian is a welcome addition back to the Premier League following his work at Chelsea from 2000 to May 2004, while perhaps hinting a sly dig at his rival Jose Mourinho.

'He built the (Chelsea) team that was so successful at the start,' the Gunners boss said. 

The rugby stars got to get a glimpse of one of their countrymen, striker Olivier Giroud, strutting his stuff for Arsenal on the training field

The rugby stars got to get a glimpse of one of their countrymen, striker Olivier Giroud, strutting his stuff for Arsenal on the training field

They might be used to a ball that is different in shape, but that didn't stop the French lads from having a kick-around of their own

They might be used to a ball that is different in shape, but that didn't stop the French lads from having a kick-around of their own

Former Arsenal star Pires was another interested spectator on the touchline during Friday's session ahead of the trip to Leicester City

Former Arsenal star Pires was another interested spectator on the touchline during Friday's session ahead of the trip to Leicester City

'I remember them finishing second in the league with Ranieri and the team was upcoming with young players like John Terry and Frank Lampard, who were the players that contributed to the success of Chelsea.'

One additional worry for Wenger is the form of star man Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has yet to find the net in his eight performances this season.

Wenger admits the forward is working off a hangover from the summer's Copa America success and felt he perhaps should have been given more time to recover.

'I think I played him very early before he was completely fit, physically, that is one explanation,' said Wenger.

'The second is that every player who has won a big trophy with the national team takes some while to settle and come back to his best. These are the two main explanations for me.

'Physically he is not completely ready, coming out of a big achievement and that takes time.

'I don't worry for Alexis Sanchez. Even when he doesn't score he is still a major threat for everybody and I am confident he will score very soon.'

Arsenal players including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stretch out in front of the watching crowd gathered on the sidelines of the pitch

Arsenal players including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stretch out in front of the watching crowd gathered on the sidelines of the pitch

The day out was clearly enjoyed by the French players, who do not face another Rugby World Cup game until Thursday next week

The day out was clearly enjoyed by the French players, who do not face another Rugby World Cup game until Thursday next week

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