Pires offers reminder of Wenger’s success

In 2000, Robert Pirès joined the club from Marseille for £6 million as a replacement for Marc Overmars, who had left for Barcelona for £25 million.

Despite some initial weak performances, and comments that the English game was too physical, Pires adapted to the Premier League with relative ease – regaining the fantastic form that he had shown at his previous clubs – and quickly established himself as a fan favourite.

Pires was a crucial part of the 2003/4 Invincibles season, along with Thierry Henry. The pair went on to score a combined total of 57 goals, as Arsenal became the first English club to remain unbeaten for an entire league campaign for over 115 years – a feat which has not been achieved by Manchester United under Sir Alex.

Arsenal fans voted Pirès as the club’s 6^th greatest player of all time – ahead of the likes of Ljungberg, Seaman and Overmars. With 5 trophies in 6 years under Arsène Wenger (during what could arguably be seen as the most prosperous years the club has ever seen), Pires offers a reminder of just what is achievable under our current manager. Having scored 84 goals in 284 appearances with the Gunners, Pires will be forever remembered as one of the most talented players to grace English football.

Now on a short-term contract with Aston Villa, Pires returns to face his former club this weekend. His presence will be felt all around the Emirates on Sunday, regardless of whether or not he actually plays. Should he be allowed to play, it will be his second game at the Emirates stadium. In 2009 Pires played the full 90 minutes for Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-finals, and received huge support from the home fans.

Arguably, Wenger never really replaced the players of the Invincibles season with similar-minded players of equal ability, preferring to build a new squad using younger players who would grow into their roles. However, if our current team were to reach similar successes as Pires, Henry and Ljungberg managed 10 years ago, then the 6 trophyless years would be quickly forgotten.