Kiwomya can't wait to face old friends

Chris Kiwomya will have a few choice words for Patrick Vieira if the World Cupwinning Frenchman makes his presence felt tomorrow.

The players' careers have followed very different paths since they were team-mates for two years at Highbury.

Kiwomya, 31, said: "I showed Patrick around Arsenal when he arrived. When he first came nobody knew him but I didn't get the feeling he was overawed.

"I remember watching games with him when he would point all sorts of things out and I thought, 'this guy's got confidence in his own ability.'

"I was thinking about a loan move to Le Havre and Patrick said it would be a great experience, which it was. I picked up a little bit of French while I was there, so I know all the swear words to call him if he fouls me during the game!"

Kiwomya, who came to Highbury from Ipswich in January 1995 was one of George Graham's last signings and scored Arsenal's winning goal on the day the manager was sacked. He served under Graham, Bruce Rioch and Arsene Wenger but left in May 1998 with three goals and only 17 appearances to his name. "If I said I wasn't upset for the first year afterwards, I'd be lying," he admitted.