Wenger calm despite Pires uncertainty

Arsene Wenger is not concerned to hear Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal are lining up a swoop for Robert Pires this summer.

The French World Cup winner, 32, is out of contract in the summer, and as such is free to discus his options with other clubs.

Arsenal are keen for the midfielderto stay, but will stand firm on their stance of only offering a 12-month extension to senior players. Pires would prefer the security of a longer-term, two-year deal.

Villarreal – whom the Gunners face in the second leg of their semi-final in Spain on Tuesday night – are ready to meet Pires’ demands, but the midfielder insists any direct talks will have to wait until after the tie has been completed.

“Robert Pires was born in 1973, and arrived at Arsenal in 2000, and has six great years – we offer him one more great year,” said Wenger.

“He is completely free to speak with whom he wants. I am not shocked by that and can understand that.

“I just hope that in the end, he will say ’I stay one more year at Arsenal’.”

Wenger added: “Of course it can look disturbing, but I do not think it is because it is always in your interest to perform.”

The Arsenal boss clearly hopes the performances of his emerging side will help convince Pires – and also captain Thierry Henry – their future lies with the north London club, who will leave Highbury for their new, 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium next season.

“You can only see what the future this team can have, when you look at these players were known by nobody two months ago, and what they have done recently looks like the team can take off and even be better,” the Gunners boss declared, his men having beaten the Spaniards 1-0 at Highbury earlier this week.

“We want to do as well as we can.

“If we can combine to finish in the top four [of the Barclays Premiership], with the age of our team, and continue to progress in the Champions League, I still feel this team has turned the corner.”

Pires, meanwhile, maintains his only focus at the moment is helping Arsenal reach the Champions League final for the first time.

“Villarreal want me for the next two seasons,” Pires told Spanish newspaper AS.

“The most important thing at the moment is for me to help Arsenal get into the final. After that if I have to talk to the people from Villarreal I will.

“They are a great team and I like Spain and the Spanish league.”