Arsenal's Bacary Sagna lies injured on the ground

Bacary Sagna has likened England v France to clashes between the Gunners and Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna believes that England’s Euro 2012 opener with France in Donetsk tonight will have the same ferocity as a derby match.

The France international, who has been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his leg against Norwich, believes Les Bleus must beat the Three Lions if they are to win the European Championship.

“It is like a derby. Every time France play England it is massive. No one wants to lose,” he told Arsenal.com.

“We beat them at Wembley [in November 2010], but this game will be totally different. They have changed manager as well, and have new players coming into the team so it will be very different.

“[A successful tournament for France] can only be winning it. You can only be successful by winning something. We want to go far and play good football as well.”