With the World Cup just around the corner, France appear to be realizing what Arsenal fans have sensed for a while - Abou Diaby could use the big stage to step out of the shadow of the great Patrick Vieira.

The 24-year-old plays for Arsenal in the role once filled by former France captain Vieira, who is now past his prime and not in national coach Raymond Domenech's squad for the June 11-July 11 finals.

The similarities do not stop there.

The same lanky figure, same ability to capture the ball and roll it up the field with calm authority, same discreet but determined manners: the two are much of a kind.

Diaby, who was called up for the first time in 2007, has won just two more caps since, the latest a 2-1 warm-up win over Costa Rica on Wednesday, in which he beautifully set up Mathieu Valbuena for the winning goal.