Pires in Highbury exit after six years

Robert Pires today ended his six-year association with Arsenal after he joined Spanish side Villarreal.

The 32-year-old French midfielder, who won the World Cup in 1998, had hoped to extend his stay with the Gunners as they prepared for the start of a new era at the Emirates Stadium, but wanted the security of a longer-term deal rather than a 12-month extension, which was on offer.