Arsenal icon Robert Pires SNUBS Thierry Henry as he names the two best stars he's played alongside

Robert Pires has sensationally snubbed fellow Arsenal icon Thierry Henry when naming the two best players he played alongside during his career – picking Zinedine Zidane and Dennis Bergkamp over him instead.

Pires formed a part of the Gunners' 'Invincible' squad that went the full 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten, with Henry spearheading the attack for the side.

The former winger also represented France at international level, playing with a host of iconic players throughout the years.

But when asked who were the best players he starred alongside throughout his trophy-laden career, Pires named just two while shockingly leaving out former team-mate and compatriot Henry, who is arguably one of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

‘Zinedine Zidane [for France] and Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal,’ Pires told L’Equipe when asked to name the best player he starred alongside.

‘I was spoiled! With both, I have progressed enormously.

‘It is not enough to copy them, it is impossible, but to observe, to learn. When I arrived in 2000 [at Arsenal], Dennis said to me: "The most important thing is the first control. It puts you in a good mood. If you miss it, you will be disturbed".

‘He didn’t talk much. Zizou either. Both were class.’

While Zidane and Bergkamp stood out among the rest, Pires also reserved praise for former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who brought him to Highbury from Marseille in 2000.

‘Arsene Wenger made me enter another dimension and made me progress,’ Pires added. ‘What confidence to come and get me to replace Marc Overmars!

‘The first six months, I really struggled, I couldn’t put one foot in front of the other, it was too hard, rough, athletic, nasty. But he felt that I could adapt.

‘On the field, with him behind you, you are free. I’m not saying I did what I wanted, each player has a mission, but I was free and wanted to have fun.’