It’s the summer of the year 2000. Arsenal fans are frustrated by Marc Overmars’ departure and Arsene Wenger decides to replace the shining Dutchman with some French guy who goes by the name of “Robert Pires”, a youngster who struggled and constantly complained about how “physical” English football is. Little did we know, this “Robert Pires” went on to become one of the best players to ever play for Arsenal.
“Good things happen to those who wait” is the saying – and thankfully, Arsenal were patient and kept Pires in their plans after a disappointing first season where he failed to carry on the form he had back in France.
By the 2001/2002 campaign, Pires had finally got a hold of the English game and had one of his best seasons. His goal against Aston Villa was something else, chasing after a long ball that came from Freddie Ljungberg. George Boateng was close and ready to intercept the ball. That’s when Pires surprised everyone by lobbing the ball over Boateng and finishing the move with a sublime lob over Aston Villa goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, leaving commentator Andy Gray speechless, who gave the player an ovation when he told him: “Take a bow son” – a now infamous line.
Not only did he lead Arsenal to the league title that season but he also topped the Premier League assist chart and was voted both FWA Football of the Year and Arsenal’s Player of the Season. And all of this was despite being out for the last two months of the season after suffering from a cruciate ligament injury.
Perhaps Pires’ best season as a Gunner came in that wonderful “Invincible” season. The Frenchman and his compatriot Thierry Henry combined for 57 goals in all competitions. Pires could not take off right away and had a tough start to the season but a wonder-goal against Liverpool at Anfield launched his season. He delighted football fans with his sublime technique, skill and finishing. One particular game stood out in Pires’ Arsenal career: The UEFA Champions League quarter-final 1st leg match against Chelsea. The Frenchman managed to beat John Terry in an aerial battle for the ball and headed it straight into the net, scoring the equaliser for Arsenal, after Eider Gudjohnsen had given Chelsea the lead. Pires finished that glorious season with an impressive record of 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. He was Arsenal’s second top scorer behind Thierry Henry and had the joint number of assists along Dennis Bergkamp.
His scoring continued even as he grew older. In 2004/2005, he finished third in the Premier League goalscoring charts, behind Henry and Crystal Palace’s Andrew Johnson, with 14. He was evolving and learning more about the vicious parts of the game as proven by his tackle on Patrick Vieira in a Champions League tie against Juventus in 2006. Colliding with his former teammate and captain, Pires stole possession and began a move that led to Cesc Fabregas’ opening goal.
The end of that season marked the conclusion of Robert Pires’ career at Arsenal. And boy what a sad ending that was. Pires did not deserve his departure 12 minutes into the Champions League Final, his final game as a Gunner, following Jens Lehmann’s red card. It wasn’t right, but sometimes, the team’s need exceeds the need of a player.
Robert Pires will always be remembered as an Arsenal great having won three FA Cups and two Premier League titles including the club’s unbeaten season, and being one of the main contributors to the finest era of Arsenal Football Club.
