Pires says Wenger can rule again
It has been nine years since Arsenal last won a trophy, and Pires – who was a key part of the side that secured the 2005 FA Cup – admits he cannot believe the drought has extended this long.
Yet Arsenal have a wonderful opportunity to end that barren run as they face Hull City at Wembley this weekend, and club legend Pires thinks it could mark the start of something special.
We have heard this before, of course, and it is worth remembering that defeat to Birmingham City in the 2011 Carling Cup final led to the break-up of a highly promising team based around the talents of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri. Pires, however, believes this time will be different. He is particularly trenchant in his view that Wenger – the man who brought him to Arsenal and helped him win five major trophies – will extend his contract and can ensure success for the Londoners.
Arsenal’s title challenge this season was fatally undermined by heavy defeats at Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool – in which they conceded 17 goals – but they still only finished seven points behind eventual winners City.
And Pires is confident his former club can bridge that gap and win their first title since ‘The Invincibles’ of 2004.
“I think he will stay,” said Pires of Wenger, who is expected to sign a new two-year deal after the FA Cup final.
“If he wins the FA Cup, it’s very good for him and for the spirit and minds of all the players. Sometimes you need to take your time over a decision. He knows Arsenal, the team, the squad, all the players. He knows he has very good quality.”
Yet winning the FA Cup this weekend is, as Pires admits, vital if Arsenal are ever to have the psychological strength to compete with their rivals – and on this occasion he knows they must deal with the pressure of being overwhelming favourites, something they failed to do against Birmingham.
“When you play for the big teams in the UK, France, Spain, always you have a dream to lift some trophies,” said Pires.
“Arsenal are in the final against Hull City. For the fans, the club, the board, for Arsene Wenger, the final is very important.
“It is important psychologically. Every player knows it’s hard to win a trophy especially after a long time. They must keep focussed on the final and Hull City. Everyone knows it’s not an easy game. We won 3-0 (in the Premier League) a few weeks ago, but Premier League and FA Cup final is totally different. You have one more step, the most important, the most difficult. Because when you play a final, it’s special, especially the FA Cup.
“You remember when Arsenal played the final against Birmingham. Everyone said it was easy for Arsenal. The final is never easy. It’s a very good opportunity for the players, for Arsene and especially for the fans.
“It’s always difficult because you are the favourites. When you are the challengers, it’s not easy but it’s more comfortable for the underdogs.
“Everybody at Arsenal knows big pressure is on the shoulders of the players. The most important thing is the message from Arsene Wenger. We need to win. Concentrate. Focus.”
And there is one other area in which Pires believes there is genuine hope for Arsenal fans. During our interview in the tunnel area of the Emirates Stadium his son runs around his legs, desperate for his father’s attention. His son wears an Arsenal kit with ‘Ozil 11’ on the back. It has been a mixed season for Arsenal’s record signing, but few have more sympathy for him than Pires.
The Frenchman was bewildered by the English game when he first arrived from Marseille, but he went on to become one of Arsenal’s greatest players.
Now he believes Ozil can emulate those achievements: “I like Ozil,” he said. “He is a very good player, with quality. When you come to the UK it’s very difficult because the football is completely different.
“For me, it was very difficult for six or seven months. When I see Mesut, I say he has had a good first Premier League season. Next season, he will be much better.
“After six or seven months, it gets easier. It’s totally different in the UK and now Mesut knows!”
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