Flourishing in an in-form club side under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal's confident right-back is relishing the showdown with Ireland, writes MATT SPIRO

‘WE’RE GOING to Dublin to try to win,” insisted Bacary Sagna. “There’s no doubt at all about that.”

At the end of a week that has been dominated by negative talk in France, there was something distinctly refreshing about the Arsenal defender’s wide-eyed enthusiasm and optimism at the national team’s training base in Clairefontaine yesterday.

There was no mention of Raymond Domenech getting jeered at a tennis tournament, no hint of infighting, and for once no fretting over the danger Ireland may pose from set-pieces.

“Were not worried about free-kicks,” shrugged an insouciant Sagna. “Every weekend we have to defend free-kicks. In the Premier League, there’s always a battle for supremacy in the penalty area. We just need to make sure we win it.”

Such fighting talk from the French has been sparse this week and Sagna’s determination is sure to please their fans, many of whom fear the current team has more talent than bottle.

Ireland’s physicality may yet unsettle Les Bleus, although Sagna is one man refusing to be bullied both on and off the pitch. When asked about Richard Dunne’s recent criticism of Domenech, the right-back offered a terse response: “We’re not worried about what the Irish say. They’re trying to attack our coach and they’re trying to attack us. But the game’s played on the pitch; that’s where we’ll give our response.”

The 26-year-old has gained assurance in more ways than one over the past year. Following an uncertain start, his France performances have been more impressive of late and he is now the undisputed right-back. Meanwhile, Sagna’s club form has been exceptional, and neither Robbie Keane nor Kevin Doyle posed him too many difficulties in recent domestic meetings.

Sagna plans to use the experience he gained during Arsenal’s victories over Tottenham (3-0) and Wolves (4-1) to his advantage.

“It’s a bonus for us to know these players already,” the former Auxerre defender said. “William Gallas and I will speak to the other defenders before the game. But just because it went well for Arsenal, doesn’t mean it’ll go well again. Every match is different. Ireland have a different style, so we’ll need to be careful.”

The prospect of another tussle with his north London rival Keane seems to excite the Frenchman. “He’s a class player,” Sagna said. “He’s very clever and a real fox in the box. But I enjoy pitting myself against class players. It’ll be a match within a match.”

Whatever happens, Sagna will not feel alone on the Croke Park pitch. Whether he is wearing blue or red, the sight of Gallas just inside him is invariably a reassuring one.

“William’s like a big brother,” Sagna said. “Youre always happy to play with a guy like him. We look to help each other as much as possible. If one of us is in trouble, the other quickly steps in.

“He also knows about playing full back,” Sagna continued, “because he played there for Chelsea. I listen to his advice. He talks a lot on the pitch and tells me to take more risks going forward.”

The advice is paying dividends at Arsenal where Sagna’s crosses have led to goals in each of the last three games. Yet neither Sagna nor Manchester United left -back Patrice Evra have been as productive going forward for France as they have been for their clubs.

Sagna admits there is room for improvement at international level. “There has been a big difference in the level of my performances but that’s because I was a novice . I was just focusing on my defensive duties. Now I feel more comfortable, I’m going forward more.”

So should we expect to witness the attack-minded version of Sagna in Dublin? “It’s different. At Arsenal, Arsène Wenger tells us to go out and play. We have so much freedom. He doesn’t want us to lump the ball forward, he wants us to pass all the time and to always play as a team. It won’t be that easy to get forward in Ireland but I’ll look to be positive whenever I get the ball.

If Sagna’s positive attitude filters through to the rest of the team, Trapattoni’s Ireland could be in trouble.

French injury worries mount

France’s midfield pairing of Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra sat out yesterday’s training session because of injury, giving rise to concerns about their availability to play at Croke Park tomorrow night.

Striker André-Pierre Gignac added to French worries when he pulled out midway thorugh the session following a knock to his tibula.