Arsenal has released an exclusive interview with Robert Pirès, reflecting on his six-year career at the club. In 2000, Pirès transferred from Olympique Marseille to Highbury. During his time with the Gunners, he made 284 appearances, scored 84 goals, and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. Individually, he was named the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 2001/02, Arsenal's Player of the Season, and was included in the PFA Team of the Year for three consecutive years.
His Arsenal journey had countless highlights, but also setbacks and regrets. In 2002, during an FA Cup replay against Newcastle United, Pirès suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury, missing the final stages of that double-winning season and the World Cup in Korea and Japan. After a lengthy recovery, he returned strongly, scoring the winning goal in the 2003 FA Cup final and becoming an indispensable member of the "Invincibles" team that won the league in 2003/04. However, in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona, Lehmann was sent off after 16 minutes, and Pirès was the player substituted—a regrettable moment at the end of his Arsenal career. But Pirès stated that what truly defined his Arsenal career were the glittering moments of peak performance.
Pirès revealed that when he left Olympique Marseille, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Arsenal all offered him contracts. Many French media outlets believed he would join Real Madrid, who planned to have him and Figo play on opposite wings. However, after an in-depth conversation with Arsène Wenger, he ultimately chose Arsenal. Wenger told him that Marc Overmars had recently moved to Barcelona and the team needed a winger with a similar style. Combined with Arsenal's club heritage and the presence of several French teammates in the squad, Pirès decided to move to North London.
His initial experience in the Premier League far exceeded his expectations. In his debut away match against Sunderland, Wenger kept him on the bench. Sitting next to fellow new signing Lauren, Pirès once thought, "This kind of football is not for me—what are we doing here?" The high intensity and physical nature of the game made him deeply uncomfortable. In the 25 minutes he played after coming on as a substitute, he only attempted simple passes, prioritizing safe distribution and avoiding rash dribbling. Pirès admitted it took him a full five to six months to adapt to English football. At that time, there was no VAR, and defenders' physical challenges were more lenient, making adaptation even harder. He still remembers his poor performance in his first North London Derby away at Tottenham, where he was completely unprepared. By the second encounter, he had adjusted, scoring against Tottenham at home and later in the FA Cup semi-final, after which he greatly enjoyed the rivalry.
His first goal for Arsenal came on October 17, 2000, in a Champions League away match against Lazio, which ended in a 1-1 draw. At the time, the media questioned this signing as a replacement for Overmars, and he was under considerable pressure. This goal was highly significant for him. Thierry Henry also shared his own experience of facing doubts when he first joined Arsenal, advising him to be patient.
The 2001/02 season was his best personally, with the team steadily progressing toward a double, until his serious injury disrupted everything. The rehabilitation period of over half a year was grueling, but it also strengthened his mental toughness. He was particularly moved by the team's championship celebration, where his teammates specifically ensured he was the last to come forward and lift the Premier League trophy. His comeback match after injury was a Champions League game at Highbury against French side AJ Auxerre. Although the team lost 1-2, the warm welcome from the home fans brought him immense relief and strengthened his confidence in returning to peak form.
Speaking of the historic "Invincibles" season, Pirès vividly remembers a home match against Liverpool. Arsenal was trailing 1-2 at halftime, and Wenger was furious during the break, severely criticizing the team's performance and telling the players they were capable of much more. In the second half, the team adjusted, Henry scored a hat-trick, Pirès scored the equalizer to make it 2-2, and the team ultimately won 4-2. He chuckled, saying that playing alongside teammates like Henry, Bergkamp, and Kanu made the game much easier. On the day they secured the league title at White Hart Lane, he also scored, claiming the championship at their rivals' home—a unique memory for all Gunners fans.