Pires intent on staying part of French connection

ARSENAL winger Robert Pires has reassured Arsene Wenger he has no intention of leaving Highbury this summer as he wants to sign a new contract.

Pires was among those players said in a weekend report to be at risk of being offloaded this summer as part of a clear-out to fund new purchases, such as right winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, while Jose Antonio Reyes seems to be unsettled and Arsenal must fight to keep hold of Ashley Cole, Pires stressed he does not want to leave. To stay put however, he would need to sign a new contract as his current deal expires in the summer of 2006, just before Arsenal are due to move to their new Stadium.