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.

''When I'm playing again, it may take another couple of months to get back to my top level. It will come back gradually so, even when I'm back in the first team, I will need more patience.''

Arsene Wenger believes Pires is physically ready to return but has promised to keep to the surgeon's view that a six-month delay was necessary after the operation. That deadline expires on October 25, with Wenger preparing to play the winger in a reserve game in the next fortnight before a possible first-team return.

Pires added: ''I'm feeling very well. I'm fit and looking forward to playing again, but it's up to the boss when I come back. I'm back in full training on Tuesday and I'm so happy about that. I think it will probably be about three weeks until I come back playing in the team."

''I'm happy with how the recovery has gone. There have been no disappointments up to now but six months is still a very long time. But the positive thing is that you learn to be patient. You have to learn not to rush yourself to get back quickly.

''That was a new experience for me and it may sound strange but I don't think the injury was such a negative part of my career. It was a valuable experience for me and I have learned a lot from it.''

Meanwhile ex-Notts Forest ace Garry Birtles believes Arsenal's bravado could prove their downfall as they bid to beat a record which he rates as a greater achievement than winning the European Cup.

Birtles was a member of legendary manager Brian Clough's all-conquering Nottingham Forest side of the late 1970s which swept all before them both at home and abroad.

Between November 26, 1977, and December 9, 1978, Forest enjoyed a 42-match stretch without defeat in the old First Division, incorporating 21 victories and 21 draws.

It is a record which has never come close to being bettered - until now - because with a 3-1 win over Sunderland at Highbury on Sunday, Arsenal have moved onto the 30 mark and suddenly Forest's exploits have been brought to prominence.

''I know when we went on that run we never really thought about it, it was only when it came to an end that we finally thought 'just what have we achieved?'" said former striker Birtles.