Soccer: Wenger insists Pires will miss World Cup

Arsene Wenger says Robert Pires will wait three weeks before deciding whether to have an operation on his knee - but will still be ruled out of the World Cup.

Arsenal were initially told the French international would require immediate surgery, ruling him out for up to six months. However, France national team doctor Jean-Marcel Ferret said there was a slim chance Pires could make the World Cup, if the injury was allowed to heal through rest.

Wenger disputed this theory but revealed that Pires would wait three weeks for the injury to settle down before making any decision on his treatment.

"We have decided to wait for three weeks and reassess him. Two things are for sure - he is out for the rest of the season and out of the World Cup," he said.

"There are two different schools of thought about treatment. Some say an early operation and others say wait two or three weeks to allow the tissue to settle down so the knee is less swollen.