A two-time Premier League winner with Arsenal in 2002 and 2004, Robert Pires speaks glowingly about his former club.Under his countryman Arsene Wenger, the French World Cup winner hit heights that were not surpassed in the rest of his career. While the 2006 Champions League crown will always be that generation’s ‘what if’ moment, Pires insists he owes a great deal to Wenger for forming a team which went down in history.Pires made 287 appearances over six seasons and during that time became one of the most loved by Gunners supporters.The 48-year-old Frenchman gave his view on Arsenal current season so far.’Since they beat Tottenham in September, Arsenal have struck the right balance and finally the players believe in themselves,’ Pires tells Sportsmail.’I think they can reach the top-four. What I also believe is [that] the connection between Mikel Arteta and Edu (a former team-mate of Pires’) is very positive at the club. ‘They will find more great players. But the present and the future of Arsenal has definitely come from the academy in Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka. The pair are not afraid to take responsibility on the field – and I love that!’ Wenger & Pires (©Gallo Images)It really was a pleasure watching the Arsenal squad in the late 90s and early 2000s, regardless of who you support in the English top tier.’I’m not arrogant but I think we simply had everything!’ a smiling Pires adds.’Quality, ability, talent, spirit, commitment. If you are a manager you want to build a great team around this. ‘Arsene focused on every single player and I think his secret was the way he mixed the English players with the foreigners. In the end it was fantastic but the most important thing we had was spirit. Without this, the unbeaten season would have been impossible.’Mon, 23.00: (3.60) EVERTON (3.35) ARSENAL (2.20)One of Pires’ Invincibles teammates, Patrick Vieira, is now manager of Crystal Palace and the south London side are showing much progress under the 45-year-old. For Pires it is no surprise Vieira has upgraded the Eagles and it should be no surprise for anyone if Vieira takes over the Emirates Stadium first team in the near future.’I was talking to Patrick a month ago and he says the squad at Crystal Palace is of a very good quality. ‘But he will for sure be a great manager. When Patrick was on the field he was like a warrior and as a manager he is always positive. He of course knows the Premier League very well too. ‘If you have an opportunity like Palace, you have to take it. But in two or three years time, Patrick will receive some offers from big Premier League clubs, he could manage Arsenal too. You never know for the future – but trust me, he will be a good manager.’United crush Arsenal in a thrilling derby as CR7 reaches 800-goals milestoneA man they both learned a lot is surely Arsene Wenger. The 72-year-old is now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development and has shaken the world with his proposal of a biennial World Cup. Pires, who was part of the France 1998 squad which triumphed on home soil, does not agree with his former manager.’I talk with and am in contact with Arsene… but to be honest I’m not in favour of making the World Cup every two years. ‘I want to see the quality, not the quantity. The players would be tired and it’s not about the marketing, sponsorship or money – we need to think about the players.’It’s special when it’s every four years. Why don’t we ask the players about it, instead of FIFA president Gianni Infantino?’Pires reveals he started the famous Vieira – Keane tunnel bust upAs for Pires himself, he is very happy taking things easy after his retirement. He tried coaching but accepted quite happily that it wasn’t for him.’Talking to Arsene and Patrick about it, it’s not easy believe me!’, Pires said with a smile.’I don’t want to be a manager. It is very difficult – it’s not just the game but it’s every morning, thinking about everything.’
