Robert Pires to join Aston Villa
Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires would join Aston Villa on a free transfer this week. The former France international left Villarreal on a free transfer after his contract expired. The Frenchman played in Spain for 4 years after he left Arsenal in
2006.
In order to maintain his fitness, Robert Pires had been training with Arsenal. The 37 year old spent six years at Arsenal and won the Premier League twice with the Gunners along with 3 F.A. Cup victories also during his time in London. Pires was initially
linked with an unlikely move to non-league club Crawley Town but is now expected to return to England.
On Tuesday, Villa officials confirmed that Gerard Houllier had been in negotiations with Pires’ representatives and it is almost confirmed that the midfielder will join Villa in a few days.
Aston Villa's assistant manager Gary McAllister, who was also signed by Houllier as a 35 year old when Houllier managed Liverpool, said that Pires had been training at Arsenal and that Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger are friendly. He also believes that
the former Arsenal man will join the club for sure in a few days.
Robert Pires joined Arsenal from Marseille in 2000 and the move saw him become one of the finest left-sided midfielders in the Premier League. In 2002, the French man was named Footballer of the year as he inspired Arsenal to a double that season.
But at the end of 2002 season, Pires suffered a serious knee injury that eventually made him miss the World Cup in South Korea and Japan as France were knocked out in the group stages. Robert Pires returned to top form the next season and was the driving
force behind Arsenal’s record breaking unbeaten Premier League victory campaign. But sadly, his Arsenal career finished on a disappointing note when he played for only 20 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona during the Champions League final. Jens Lehmann
was given a red card during that match and Robert Pires was substituted to bring on Manuel Almunia as a goalkeeper.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also admitted that the decision left him feeling sorry for Pires but the Frenchman is now backing his former player to shine at Villa Park.
"Before his knee injury, Pires was the best left attacking midfielder in the world," Wenger said. "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."
Robert Pires started his professional football from F.C. Metz where he scored 43 goals in 162 games before joining Marseille in 1998. He featured as an important part of a France side that reached the UEFA Cup final. After playing 66 times for his team,
Robert Pires left for Arsenal after tough competition from Real Madrid and Juventus as Marc Overmars left for Barcelona.
Pires finally found his feet in England after a slow start to life in the Premier League as he went on to play 182 games and finding the net 62 times for his club.
At International level, Pires won the World Cup with France in 1998 and then in 2000, won the European Championship for Les Bleus.
Individual Honors:
-Ligue 1 young player of the year 1995-96.
-Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest decoration 1998.
-Overseas Team of the decade- Premier League 10 seasons award (1992/3-2001/2).
-Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year 2001-02 (Arsenal).
-FA Premier League highest assists for 2001-2001.
-Named by Pele in the FIFA list of top 100 players of all time.
Tags: