Pires claims Premiership rivals are now 'afraid' of Arsenal

ROBERT PIRES believes that other teams are now ''afraid'' of Arsenal as he prepared to add to the fear factor with a first-team comeback before the end of the month.

Pires is due to return to full training today for the first time since his knee operation six months ago. However, he admits he will face a struggle to return to the side as they are playing so well, having now gone 30 league games unbeaten: "Nothing is easy in life and I know it is going to be tough to get back into the first team. They are playing so well, not only in England but in Europe as well.

''It will be a big challenge for me. More and more, people are talking about Arsenal and I think people are afraid of Arsenal now.