Arsenal hero Emmanuel Petit says Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is now emerging as France's most important player.

Anelka was outstanding for France in their first-leg World Cup playoff win in the Republic of Ireland.

Petit, his former team-mate and a man ingrained in World Cup folklore because of his goal in the 1998 final, described Anelka's contribution in Dublin as "enormous".

"He was decisive, like he was in Lithuania and Serbia [previous intense tests away from home]. He kept his cool when the team was under pressure. He was probably the player who touched the ball the most.

"He had an impact on the others because everyone tried to find him on the pitch and play off him. His team-mates feel that he has evolved."