French resistance

Some of Arsenal’s French Foreign Legion have not yet signed long term deals with the club, but Xavier Rivoire reports that the signs are good for the North London outfit that they will hold on to their legionaires.

"The Arsenal without the French lot would be the end". The nightmare as described by one English football correspondent almost happened this summer, but how close did the Gunners really come to losing their French contingent and what would happen if one or two Gallic stars were allowed to go 'on a free' at the end of next season? So far, and rather worryingly for many fans, most questions remain unanswered.

Apart from Thierry Henry (who extended his contract as early as last May, pledging his commtiment to the North London club for a further three years), the other triumvirat of French superstars Vieira, Pires and Wiltord has not made its intentions very clear and the contract situation is still quite obscure, even though the English season is about to kick off.

Even though Vieira and Pires have reiterated their commitment to the club, the fact is it has taken them so long to agree on contract extensions is concerning.

Vieira said he was going to sign earlier this week, but nothing so far. But he did throw in the rider: "Otherwise, I'll finish my contract out," before adding: "This club would not die if one player left," as if he was already thinking of moving forward. Vieira also said during this press conference: "I want to get the best deal for myself and the club wants to get the best deal for themselves. We want to find a solution in between."

As for Robert Pires, the question was apparently the length of the contract offered. The French talisman wants three years. Is the length of the contract the real issue or is it more to do with the image rights?

"Money is not the issue," the duo maintain, but many doubt it.

The French trio have missed most Arsenal's pre-season programme as Pires and Wiltord took part in the victrious Confederations' Cup campaign with France while Vieira underwent surgery on a knee.

Considering that Wiltord is a different case since his contract is not expiring at the end of this coming season, the case of Vieira and Pires raises questions. Vieira has repeated the same again and again.

"Discussions are going well," he said, "I am confident. I want to stay at Arsenal but everything ought to be sorted out before the league starts. Either I extend my contract or I see the current one out." Which means that Vieira could very well leave on a Bosman in June 2004 if he hasn't put pen to paper by Friday night.

Nonetheless, the Arsenal captain still has not yet signed a new contract, a situation that puts his coach Arsène Wenger in a tricky position: "How close we are (to signing him), I can't say," the Frenchman explains.

"As long as it (the contract) is not there, it is not there. It is like when you buy a piece of bread and you are one penny short. You don't get it. It does not matter how far we are away."

But then, in a typical optimistic mood, Wenger adds: "I am always positive but I can not tell you much more. When it is signed, we'll come out (and tell you). It will be decided before the Premiership season starts."

What, then, of Pires ? When asked the question about his contract, the 2002 Player of the Year replies: "I very much like the transfer period. It is nice to read in the papers the rumours, the contacts, the signings. Personally, I shouldn't complain about it (reading my name in the papers). One day, I had signed for Valencia, the next, I had agreed terms with Internazionale! I am not denying the contacts. I am just saying that I am, as of today, an Arsenal player."

What did Pires do while all the rumours filled the sports sections? "I was on holiday, but my position never changed. My priority was always to stay at Arsenal. I was never worried and we started to talk calmly about the situation when I came back, beginning of July." Early this week, Wenger said about the Pires' contract: "We are very, very close."

But today the Arsenal faithful have the right to ask: how close is close? To paraphrase Wenger, it does not matter how far away - or how close - Arsenal have been to signing Vieira and Pires. The fact is that the Gunners haven't secured their signings for the foreseeble future. It does not bode well for the coming season, when Arsenal have to reconquer England, not alone Europe

Xavier Rivoire, is the co-author of 'Footballeur' with Robert Pires (Yellow Jersey publishers).