Pires: Patience is paying dividends

Arsenal winger Robert Pires claimed his patience is finally paying off as he starts to recover the sparkling form which won him the player of the year award last season.

Pires returned from a six-month lay-off due to a serious knee injury just over a month ago but it has taken him time to play his way back into shape.

The France international nevertheless showed signs of his best form once again during Arsenal’s 3-1 weekend win over Aston Villa.

And he also revealed he was playing without any fear once again, rather than being cautious about his injury problems resurfacing.

Having given his side the lead with his third goal of the season, Pires was a constant menace to the Villa defence, albeit playing second fiddle to the irrepressible Thierry Henry.

The winger, who was substituted 10 minutes from the end after taking a knock, said: “I was given a programme of recovery and I have to respect that.

“But when you are in this team, with the atmosphere at Highbury, you can never hold back and you just want to be back as quickly as possible.

“There is more to come – about another 10 minutes! But I am getting stronger and will last the whole 90 minutes at my best very soon. I’m feeling better and better.

“The game against Roma gave me a lot of pleasure and it’s been a very good week for me and for Arsenal.

“It was very hard after being out for so long. But I’ve been waiting for this moment since I got injured against Newcastle.

“But patience is one of my qualities and I knew it would pay off one day and it’s beginning to pay off now. It was a very serious injury but that’s in the past and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

“I just want to get back to the level I was at before and not think about the injury. But now I go onto the pitch without any fear.”

Henry, who took his tally to five goals in two games, also paid tribute to Pires’ influence after his side moved four points clear at the top of the table.

Henry said: “Since Robert has been back in the team, we play more on the floor and he provides great passes to the strikers. It’s great to have him back.

“Robert is a quality player. When you come back from a bad injury, the quality is still there and the only thing missing is the fitness.

“But now maybe his next game will be even better. He needs to play even more games to get stronger but his passing, vision and releasing of the ball is already there.”