World and European champion with the Blues in 1998 and 2000, Robert Pires was also an Arsenal executive. A painful memory with the Gunners marked him forever.
From his first appearance in D3 with Stade de Reims in 1991, until his officially announced retirement in 2016, two years after a final experience in the Indian club Goa FC, Robert Pirès enjoyed a flourishing career, notably punctuated by world champion and European champion titles gleaned with the French team. At club level, the former midfielder also shone, but his record is not as famous as for the national team. Very often second with his different teams (vice-champion of France with Metz in 98 and with Marseille in 99, second in the Premier League with Arsenal in 2001, 2003, 2005, or even vice-champion of Liga with Villarreal in 2008), the The Frenchman especially failed in a certain 2006 Champions League final. A painful memory.
Painful, and forever in the spirit of Rémois. Eighteen years later, Robert Pirès has still not forgotten this summit match against FC Barcelona. This May 17, 2006, Arsenal is opposed to FC Barcelona of Ronaldinho and Ludovic Giuly. THE Gunners seem able to rush towards victory, but a premature red card issued against German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann (18th) will upset everything. Author of an uncontrolled exit, Arsenal’s last rampart will push Arsène Wenger to upset his tactical plans. And to bring in his replacement goalkeeper, the French manager will opt for a cruel choice by bringing out Robert Pirès. A decision that marked the midfielder forever. Invited to talk about this episode on Canal+the latter admitted to having kept this moment in memory.
“Have I digested it?” No “
“ I don’t even look at the coach “, he first explained, referring to the moment of his replacement. Then, recounting his state of mind once he returned to the bench, Robert Pirès blurted out: “ You mustn’t talk to me there. I may have a bad reaction in terms of vocabulary. » And to conclude, lucidly: “ Did I digest it? No. Not really. No. » That evening, even at ten against eleven, Arsenal managed to open the scoring with a goal from Sol Campbell (37th). But the pressure put on by Barcelona’s numerical superiority during three-quarters of the match will eventually force the Londoners to bend. Samuel Eto’o (76th), then Juliano Belletti (81st) will offer the Champions League to their team. A painful memory that Robert Pirès has not forgotten.
