Premiership: Win the Double for me, urges Pires

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has urged his team-mates to win the Double for him as he prepares to undergo surgery on his knee injury.

Pires, who has been voted the Football Writers’ Association player of the year, is due to have an operation on his left knee tomorrow in Marseilles and will be ruled out for around six months.

Arsenal can, meanwhile, take a major step towards landing the title tonight as they take on West Ham at Highbury aiming to move four points clear of Liverpool and five points ahead of Manchester United.

With an FA Cup final place also booked against Chelsea, Pires declared: ‘‘Of course it is frustrating to miss the end of the season because this one has been so exciting with Arsenal.

‘‘But I am sure that my friends at the club are going to finish the job.’’

Pires, who was at Arsenal’s training ground yesterday to wish his team-mates well, revealed that he had been moved by the reception he received from supporters at the game against Sunderland three weeks ago.

The Frenchman told the Evening Standard: ‘‘I received the player of the month award and the crowd were incredible. Injured players always get a good reception but it was a very emotional moment.’’

The winger will await specialist advice after his operation before deciding whether he can travel to Cardiff to watch the cup final on May 4, although he is likely to miss the FWA awards dinner two days beforehand.