Arsene Wenger "not optimistic" over Joey Barton's French accent

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has joked that Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton is not capable of doing a convincing French accent.

The 30-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Marseille from Loftus Road, made headlines yesterday after he spoke in English at a press conference but with a French accent.

"I haven't heard it but I'm not very optimistic about his performance," said Wenger.

Barton's attempts mirror that of former England manager Steve McLaren, who put on a Dutch accent in an interview while at FC Twente.