PARIS (AFP) - Arsenal defender Mathieu Flamini has been called into the France squad for Wednesday´s friendly against Argentina after Roma´s Philippe Mexes was sidelined through injury.

Mexes already missed France´s last friendly, a 1-0 win over European champions Greece at the end of last year, and his absence adds to coach Raymond Domenech´s problems in defence with William Gallas and Jean-Alain Boumsong already out injured.

Domenech called up Marseille defender Julien Rodriguez Sunday as a security measure, but defenders Lilian Thuram and Sebastien Squillaci are still uncertain as they struggle for fitness.

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Alfio Basile, captain Robert Fabian Ayala and veteran Javier Zanetti agreed Monday that Arsenal captain Thierry Henry was the player they feared most in the France team.

"We respect France as a whole. It has players who could cause us problems like Henry, and not forgetting (Franck) Ribery," said Zanetti.

But Ayala added: "We fear Henry the most.

"We know that he´s the man to watch, but France counts on team play. They have an experienced defence, a midfield that gives few opportunities, and very fast players up front."