Robert Pires was given the chance to say goodbye to his old Arsenal fans on Wednesday night, so let me salute the man who will always be remembered as one of the best ever midfielders to wear the red and white shirt.
I could tell you about Pires’ superb stats – the Frenchman scored 14 Premier League goals in three consecutive seasons for The Gunners – or trophy room – he won The Premier League, as well as the World Cup and the European Championship – but I would rather tell you about the man who I met, who I speak to regularly and who I hugely respect.
When I texted Robert Pires a few weeks ago to ask him for a reaction on the Champions League draw, and to be honest I did not expect him to answer because I thought 200 other journalists would do the same, the midfielder (who has proved his class many times) called back straight away and told me with enthusiasm how happy he was to return to the theatre of his biggest exploits.
When you speak to Robert Pires, you can feel his passion for football and his immense respect for Arsenal Football Club. I can give you hundreds of examples of players who are bored and who make you lose your time when you speak about the game with them, but the Reims-born wideman is not part of them. He will always keep the flame.
Even if his English has never been great, and even if he will probably not move back to London once his career is over in summer 2010, nostalgia is the word that comes to his mind when he remembers the seven glorious years he spent on this side of The Channel.
Pires is the kind of footballer that never disappoints you because he analyses the game well, speaks about it with passion and makes you want to watch football, again and again.
The word legend is used too often in modern football in this country. You win a title, score an important goal, and you are suddenly the messiah. But it takes much more to become immortal in the fans’ memory, and Pires, for his talent, inspiration, winning mentality, commitment, team-spirit and respect for Arsenal, is a true hero, an Arsenal legend.