N’Golo Kante impressed in France’s World Cup opener with Australia (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger showered N’Golo Kante with praise following France’s 2-1 victory over Australia.

Kante had an outstanding campaign for Chelsea and was selected in France’s 23-man World Cup squad after becoming a regular under Didier Deschamps in qualifying for the tournament.

His performance was one of few positives for France in their World Cup opener as Aziz Behich’s 80th minute own-goal crushed the Socceroos on Saturday.

Wenger has made no secret of his admiration for Kante in the past and has even admitted that he wanted the Frenchman at Arsenal.


And following France’s defeat of Australia, Wenger told beIN Sports: ‘He is one of the most influential midfielders I’ve seen play football.



‘He constantly makes simple decisions and never overcomplicates it.’

Arsene Wenger heaped praise on N’Golo Kante after France’s win (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger wanted N’Golo Kante at the Emirates (Picture: Getty)

Last year, Wenger revealed that Arsenal tried to sign Kante after his title-winning heroics with Leicester City.

‘Have I looked to sign Kanté? Yes. When he was in France and when he was at Leicester,’ Wenger said.

‘I cannot explain everything [about why he preferred Chelsea] but it is quite obvious when you look at where he has gone.

‘Was it the money? I do not want to talk about that. Transfers are transfers – you cannot explain absolutely everything.’

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