Soccer: Pires undergoes knee op

Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has had a successful knee operation.

Pires, who sustained cruciate ligament damage to his right knee a month ago, will now begin his long recovery. He is expected to be out of action for six months.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Jean-Pierre Franceschi, the doctor who performed the surgery, said: ‘‘Everything went okay. Robert Pires will begin taking physiotherapy sessions that should last for a few months.’’

Pires had been enjoying an excellent season before the injury, and was voted as the Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year last Saturday.

The injury will also rule him out of France’s bid to retain the World Cup in Japan and South Korea this summer.