Robert Pires

Robert Emmanuel Pires is French international footballer who currently features for the Spanish side Villarreal. Robert Pires is renowed as one of the best midfielders in the world and is hero-worshipped in France and his old club Arsenal.

Robert Pires is of Portuguese and Spanish descent and began his professional career with FC Metz in 1992. In 1998 he was signed by French powerhouse Olympique Marseille but in 2000 Premiership giants Arsenal for 6 million pounds.

In his subsequent 6 years at Arsenal, Robert Pires gained cult status. He was mostly deployed on the wings by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, also a Frenchman, and Pires blossomed in London. Pires' great vision, accurate crosses, exquisite through balls, stupendous passing ability and good ability with the free-kick earned him well deserved adulation from the Gunners' fans.

In his second season in the Premiership, that is the 2001-2002 season, Robert Pires led the assists charts was voted both FWA Footballer of the Year and Arsenal's player of the season in a season when Arsenal won the Premiership crown.

Pires also played a crucial role in Arsenal's Premiership triumph two years later in 2004. He also won the FA Cup thrice(2002,2003,2005) and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League with th Gunners in 2006.

Villarreal signed the veteran Frenchman in the summer of 2006 on a free transfer but missed most of the 2006-2007 season with a knee injury. The Frenchman though has been back into his top form for the 2007-2008 season and has guided the Yellow Submarine to a second place in La Liga.

Robert Pires won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France but missed the 2002 World Cup with injury. He played for France in 2004 but hasn't made any international appearance since after falling out with French national team coach Raymond Domenech. Pires has featured 79 times for his nation and has scored 14 goals.