OTD in 2000 Robert Pires became a Gooner - five warm memories of the silky Frenchman
OTD in 2000 Robert Pires became a Gooner - five warm memories of the silky Frenchman
21 years ago today, the French wizard that is Robert Pires joined Arsenal from Marseille.
Scoring 84 goals during his six-year stint, the Frenchman helped Arsenal to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
And on this momentous day, we look back at five of the silky Frenchman’s best moments for the Gunners.
FA Cup glory
The 2003 FA Cup final pitted the Gunners against Southampton in a real David versus Goliath encounter at the Millennium Stadium.
Arsenal were the clear favourites that day, but they still needed Pires to help them overcome a plucky Southampton side 1-0.
With all the stars out in full force, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp combined, with the Dutchman then finding Freddie Ljungberg in the box.
Controlling Bergkamp’s cross, Ljungberg’s shot was blocked by Saints defender Claus Lundekvam – falling to the feet of Pires.
And Arsenal’s number seven kept his cool, slotting home with ease past Antti Niemi, securing the Gunners back-to-back FA Cup titles.
The 2001/2002 title winning season
Despite missing the FA Cup final and the final few months of the season due to an ACL injury, Pires himself names the 2001/02 title-winning season as his best in an Arsenal shirt.
So good was Pires’ season, he was named the Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association even after his injury.
“I would say the 2001/02 season,” said Pires when asked about his best individual season.
“It was the year I got injured, rupturing cruciate ligaments in my knee, but it is true that everything I was doing at that time was working.”
That goal against Aston Villa
The reason Pires won the Football Writers Player of the Year award during the 2001/2002 season because of his sheer brilliance on the ball.
And his goal against Aston Villa was a prime example of that.
Racing onto a lofted long ball from Ljungberg, Pires managed to flick the ball over Villa defender George Boateng before somehow managing to pull off the most audacious of chips against Peter Schmeichel.
Yes, that would be 6ft 3in Peter Schmeichel. Simply outrageous.
Part of ‘The Invincibles’
If the 2001/02 season was Pires’ best individually, the 2003/2004 was certainly the best team effort.
Playing a major role, Pires was part of the hallowed invincible Arsenal side that went an entire Premier League campaign unbeaten.
And Pires played a major part in helping the Gunners achieve Premier League history, with the Frenchman scoring 14 goals, which was only bettered by Henry’s 30.
THAT penalty against Manchester City…
Ok, look, Pires did some pretty unbelievable things during his days in North London.
But we can’t seriously forget THAT penalty against Manchester City in the 2005/06 season.
In what is now known as one of the worst Premier League penalties of all-time, Pires stepped up to take a penalty with David James in between the sticks.
What was Pires going to do? A smart cultured low-driven finish? An audacious chip? A net-busting driven strike?
Well, what Pires actually did was attempt to pass the ball into the path of the on-coming Henry, who would more than likely scored had he connected.
But Pires fluffed his lines, scrapping the top of the ball before referee Mike Riley awarded a free-kick to Manchester City.
However, Pires scored another penalty earlier in the game, helping the Gunners to a 1-0 win. Talk about lucky!
