Very few names evoke emotion from Arsenal fans quite like Robert Pirès.
The majestic Frenchman won two Premier League titles with the North London club and was one of the inspirations behind the unforgettable Gunners side that went unbeaten for the entire league campaign of 2003-04. Any player that can steal – and not just share – the limelight with the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp deserves special attention and the world recognised that – he was voted into the PFA Team of the Year three times and was named amongst Arsenal's top 10 players of all-time.
After most recently blessing the Indian Super League with his magic in the new competition's first year, Pires is back in London and has become a regular presence on Arsenal's training pitch. He loves Arsenal just as much as Arsenal loves him.
The World Cup winner made an appearance at Pro:Direct Soccer's LDN19 Carnaby store for the launch of the PUMA King Top Stripe boot range and after being mobbed by adoring Arsenal fans, he spoke to Complex on all things Arsenal, France and the brilliance of Bergkamp.
Interview: Corey Pellatt
Do you get mobbed everywhere you go in London?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It’s good for me because it shows the Arsenal fans don’t forget my team or my name – it’s nice.
It must have been a different scenario in India, where you played last year in the first season of the Indian Super League. What was that experience like?
Honestly, it was a good experience. My objective was to share my passion and football knowledge with the Indian players; I’ve learned so much from France, England and Spain. It’s obviously not the same, you can’t compare Indian Super League and the Premier League…it’s totally different. But they can make it a success, not now but in ten years – it’s like the Chinese league.
It feels like there’s a mini-Invincibles reunion at Arsenal with a lot of legends on the club coaching staff at the moment…
It’s good, I think Arsenal has a very good future. You have Thierry Henry, you have Freddie Ljungberg and maybe one day you could see Dennis Bergkamp there, too. Everything is possible but right now we need to take our time because the club actually has a great manager. For me, he’s doing well and I hope that they win the title.
Do you think the Invincibles squad has a role to play in the club’s long-term future?
Maybe but you need to ask the coach. If you ask the fans or if you ask me, I say yes. I don’t know if it will be Henry, Bergkamp, Lljungberg, Adams or Vieira – but Arsenal need to prepare the future for after Wenger.
Do you think the current Arsenal team are capable of matching the great achievements of your generation?
You want to compare? I don’t like to compare players or manager. In 2004, the players and the system were totally different. The stadium was different. The team right now is very good and if you look at the names you have Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud...they all play for the national team so you have good quality. They need to focus on the title.
You played for two legendary teams – the ‘Invincible’ Arsenal team of 2004 and France’s World Cup winners in 1998. Which was your favourite?
It’s totally different. I think Arsenal was very special but better than France? I don’t know. We shared a few of the same players and the quality of both teams were very good. But I played six seasons with Arsenal and I learned so much, especially from Dennis Bergkamp. Everybody talks about Thierry Henry, he was one of the best strikers in the world, but Bergkamp was very, very good. He was so special.
Everyone probably agrees that going a whole season unbeaten is probably the greatest achievement in Premier League history. If Leicester do the unthinkable and win the title this season, would that match the Invincibles?
I don’t know. Of course, the Invincibles – for me – was perfect…but it’s the past. We need to focus on the present and the future. It’s impossible to compare any team now with that team from 2004.
You played with some of the all-time greats but who was your favourite?
It’s a hard question. With the national team, the best player I’ve ever seen was Zinedine Zidane and it was a privilege to play with him in the same way it was with Bergkamp and Vieira. But in 2000, when I met Tony Adams, I felt like a fan. He was a legend. At that time he was the captain of Arsenal and to meet and play with Adams was something I will always treasure.
What’s the most memorable game you’ve ever played in?
I don’t know, I played 19 seasons at a high level in France, England and Spain. I played so many great matches. Maybe it’s the game where we won the title against Tottenham in 2004. Of course it was a special moment for the players but even more importantly it was special for the fans. There’s such a rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham that when you win the title in White Hart Lane, it makes even more incredible.
Your son Theo is currently at Arsenal’s academy. Can we hope to see another Pires in an Arsenal shirt one day soon?
(Laughs) I don’t know! I hope so. He’s passionate about football and he loves Arsenal, he’s at every game with me at the Emirates. Why not? It’s possible! I hope for him he can be even better than me.
Robert Pires was speaking at the launch of the PUMA King Top Stripe Pack at Pro:Direct Soccer's LDN19 Carnaby store. Find more here.
