Ex-Gunner Robert Pires signs for Villains
Robert Pires has signed a six month contract with Aston Villa and shall remain with them till the end of the season. This confirms the rumors that had been going round since the past week or so when he was spotted training with Arsenal. The most hopeful
of Arsenal supporters had wished that Arsene Wenger would sign him again after letting him go in 2004. Wenger however stated that his squad was complete and had no room for another attacking midfielder but gave him a glowing reference and said that he would
be a great addition to any squad in the Premier League.
Fellow Frenchman and ex-Liverpool gaffer Gerard Houllier has managed to sign the left attacking midfielder and has high hopes from him for the season. The new Aston Villa assistant coach, Gary McAllister echoed these sentiments when he said, "I am
sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition. He's a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved.”
The 37 year old Pires has had an amazing career both on the domestic and international front. He last played an international match for France in 2004 after which he was kept in the cold by controversial ex-coach Raymond Domenech. He has had a glittering international
career, which few players can boast as he was an integral part of the squads that won the European Championship, Confederations Cup and World Cup. His move from Arsenal on a free transfer to Spanish side Villarreal was thought by one and all to be the last
move of his career. Few had believed it possible that he would ever return to England and Arsenal fans were resigned to the fact that he would play out the final years of his career in the Spanish Primera Liga.
The faith that Houllier has placed in Pires by signing him despite his age is questioned by some experts though. These experts cite that he may not be fit enough to play and is well past his prime. They say that his recent injuries may have left him
ill-equipped to play in the tough and physically challenging Premier League. The injury that they are talking about is one that Pires suffered soon after signing for the Yellow Submarines. It was a cruciate ligament injury that deprived him of a chance to
showcase his skills for his new club for more than half a year. This was similar to an injury that he faced while at Arsenal and the recovery period was almost the same duration.
As he had managed to reach his previous level of fitness at Arsenal he did the same at Villarreal. He scored his first goal for his new side against Barcelona in a match that was memorable for Villarreal supporters as they managed to beat the table
toppers by a two goal margin. It was ironic though as the last match Pires played for the Gunners was that fateful final match in the UEFA Champions League. It was some sort of justice as he managed to help his newly adopted side to victory against the side
that had defeated the Gunners in the final.
"To me, before his knee injury, Pires was the best left attacking midfielder in the world," said Wenger. "With us he was just flying. Even if he has lost the speed of his youth, he can still help at Aston Villa thanks to his knowledge of the game."
Houllier and Aston Villa fans will hope that he can add that extra bit of quality to their side so that they may be able to challenge for honors domestically and on the European front as Wenger has predicted. They will be happy with his performance
if he is able to assist Aston Villa in achieving even half of what he helped the Gunners achieve during his time with them.
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