Robert Emmanuel Pires ( hold 29 October 1973 ) is a french football coach and former professional player. [ 4 ] Pires played for french clubs Metz and Marseille prior to his time with Arsenal, where he won three FA Cups and two Premier League titles including the baseball club ‘s unbeaten season of 2003–04. A early France international, Pires earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He has been included in the PFA Team of the year for the 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, was the Player of the Tournament for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, FWA Player of the class for the 2001–02 temper, Ligue 1 Young Player of the class for the 1995–96 season, and was included in the FIFA 100 by Pelé. He was besides voted by Arsenal fans as the 6th greatest player in the cabaret ‘s history. [ 5 ]
Reading: Robert Pires
Pires played the majority of his career as a left winger, but could besides play all across the midfield or in a put to support the ahead line. Pires used to be a coach at Arsenal. [ 4 ]
early years [edit ]
Pires was born in Reims, France, [ 6 ] to a portuguese founder and spanish mother. Pires, the elder of two boys, spent most of his childhood dressed in two football shirts that reflected his divided loyalty. One was a Benfica shirt ( his church father was a winnow ) and the other was a real number Madrid shirt. Pires confessed he had difficulty in educate because he did not speak french well at the time, ascribable to the fact his parents only spoke spanish and portuguese. [ 7 ] His passion for football was inherited from his beget, António, who played with Les Corpo, a local team, and every Saturday night Pires would watch him play. At the age of 15, Pires left school and began his dream of a career in football with a biennial sports degree course in Reims. At the insistence of his mother, Pires continued with Reims and finally was called up four years late. [ 7 ]
Club career [edit ]
France [edit ]
Pires is a graduate of the FC Metz youth academy, making his senior debut in 1993 against Lyon. During his six seasons there, he scored 43 goals in 162 matches, and won the Coupe de la Ligue, prompting a £5 million move to Olympique de Marseille in 1998. At Marseille, Pires had a assorted biennial persist. His first season saw Marseille miss the french league title by a point and they besides lost the 1999 UEFA Cup Final to Parma. His second season saw him suffer a freshet of on- and off-field problems, which led him to boycott the club at the season ‘s end. [ 8 ]
arsenal [edit ]
Pires spent six seasons at Arsenal
Pires was signed by Arsenal for £6 million in 2000, after firm rival from Real Madrid and Juventus, replacing Marc Overmars, who had left for Barcelona for a read £25 million. [ 7 ] He made his introduction as a substitute against Sunderland on 19 August 2000. [ 9 ] Initially, Pires ‘ form was indifferent, and some people criticised him after his comments that the english game was besides forcible. however, he lento began to regain the form he had shown at Metz, scoring a brilliant solo goal in October 2000, his first base for Arsenal, against Lazio in the 2000–01 Champions League. [ 10 ] Days late he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 win against West Ham United. [ 11 ] During his time at Arsenal Pires had a substance abuse of scoring against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, something he did on eight occasions. [ 12 ] The first of such occasions came in a league game on 31 March 2001 when Arsenal won 2–0. [ 13 ] A week late he scored against Tottenham again, this time the achiever in the FA Cup semi-finals. [ 14 ] however, Arsenal went on to lose the Cup final to Liverpool 2–1 ; Pires set up Arsenal ‘s goal for Freddie Ljungberg. [ 15 ]
By 2001–02, Pires had amply got to grips with the english game and had one of his best seasons. Pires scored brilliant goals against Middlesbrough and Aston Villa. Against Aston Villa, Pires chased after a long ball by Freddie Ljungberg, and lobbed the ball over the pursuing George Boateng, and finished off the motivate with a delightful lob over Peter Schmeichel. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] Pires besides scored in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, which would commence a sequence of five back-to-back league seasons in which he would score in the North London Derby aside at their rivals. [ 18 ] He led the Premier League assist charts and was voted both FWA Footballer of the year and Arsenal ‘s musician of the temper, as Arsenal won the league deed. [ 19 ] Pires provided the aid for Dennis Bergkamp when he scored his memorable pirouette goal against Newcastle United. [ 20 ] however weeks former against the same opposition in the FA Cup Pires suffered a cruciate ligament wound ( a game in which he had earlier scored ). [ 21 ] This besides ruled him out of playing in the 2002 FA Cup Final and the 2002 World Cup with France. [ 22 ]
After a drawn-out layoff, Pires made his rejoinder in November 2002 as a utility against AJ Auxerre in the UEFA Champions League. [ 23 ] Although Pires initially found it tough, he finally returned to form, scoring 14 premiership goals in 20 starts that temper, including a hat-trick against Southampton on the penultimate day of the season. [ 24 ] other highlights included scoring twice against Fulham, including a last moment winner, and his customary goal at White Hart Lane. [ 25 ] [ 26 ] Pires was voted the Premier League Player of the Month for February 2003. Pires capped off his season by scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Southampton. [ 27 ]
He went on to be a crucial part of Arsenal ‘s quest for the Premier League title in the 2003–04 season, which they achieved, remaining unbeaten and becoming the first English lead flight club to do then in 115 years. Pires and his arsenal teammate Thierry Henry were instrumental in that season, scoring a combine 57 goals in all competitions. Pires made a inert start to the campaign, with equitable one finish to his name ( against Everton ) prior to October, [ 28 ] but a wonder-goal against Liverpool at Anfield kick-started his season. [ 29 ] Pires showed football fans his sublime proficiency, skills and finish, most notably with his goals against Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, and Leeds United. He surprised a distribute of people with a global class tackle on Claude Makélélé and, following that, a rivulet into the penalty box which dragged William Gallas and John Terry away, therefore making quad for Patrick Vieira to have a one-on-one with the Chelsea goalkeeper and subsequently scoring. Arsenal won that match 2–1, with Vieira ‘s finish the counterweight. [ 30 ] That day of Premier League military action proved decisive, as Manchester United ‘s failure to beat Leeds United during the like day resulted in Arsenal getting a huge precede in the title subspecies. [ 31 ] Arsenal never lost 1st invest in the mesa for the rest of the season. In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final ‘s 1st leg match against Chelsea, Pires managed to beat John Terry to a heading, which resulted in the counterweight for Arsenal, after Eiður Guðjohnsen had given Chelsea the lead. [ 32 ] however, Arsenal were eliminated after they lost 1–2 in the return leg, courtesy of an 87th hour Wayne Bridge goal. Pires besides scored home and away against Tottenham Hotspur. He showed his playmaking skills in a finish against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, in which Pires was the architect in building up the goal, and capped off the move with a goal to score Arsenal ‘s 2nd goal of the game. Tottenham refused to give up, and managed to claw their way back and claimed a 2–2 draw. Despite that, Arsenal won the title after the catch. [ 33 ] [ 34 ] Pires finished that season with an impressive tally of 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. He was Arsenal ‘s second top scorer ( behind Thierry Henry ) and had the joint sum of assists ( along with Dennis Bergkamp ) that temper. [ citation needed ]
Pires in 2004
In the 2004–05 season, Pires finished third base in the Premiership goalscorers ‘ table with 14 goals, behind teammate Thierry Henry and Crystal Palace ‘s Andrew Johnson. [ 35 ] Pires besides picked up a second FA Cup winners ‘ decoration ; he scored in the semi-final against Blackburn Rovers [ 36 ] and then Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties in the final. Pires was replaced by Edu in the 2nd half of extra time in that meet. [ 37 ]
During the 2005–06 season, Pires started the season ailing, and players such as Freddie Ljungberg, José Antonio Reyes and Alexander Hleb were preferred to him on both wings. As the season progressed, though, Pires ‘ form improved, outscoring his survival rivals overall despite a bizarre penalty incidental with Thierry Henry against Manchester City when Pires, having scored from the spot earlier in the bet on, tried passing it to Arsenal ‘s star striker but Henry missed the testis and it went down as a penalty miss. [ 38 ] Highlights in the league that season included scoring at White Hart Lane for the fifth consecutive season ( his one-eighth and final finish against Tottenham ) to help Arsenal salvage a 1–1 trace, and besides scoring in the last game at Highbury against Wigan Athletic. [ 39 ] [ 40 ] Pires was implemental in Arsenal ‘s Quarter Final Champions League first leg against Juventus, where Arsenal won 2–0. Pires successfully tackled Patrick Vieira and fed the ball to Thierry Henry who passed to Fàbregas to score Arsenal ‘s first gear goal, the first clock that Pires had gotten the better of Vieira. [ 41 ] Pires played his final game for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions league final against Barcelona in Paris, which Arsenal ultimately lost 2–1. however, Pires was substituted after only 18 minutes when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off and had to be replaced with Manuel Almunia. [ 42 ] Pires later said Wenger ‘s decision to substitute him “ killed ” him : “ the fact that I was substituted and alone allowed to play 18 minutes remains atrocious, there ‘s no charge denying that … Wenger knows it and we still talk about it. I ‘ll never agree that he made the correct decisiveness. ” [ 43 ]
deviation [edit ]
During the 2005–06 temper, Pires wrangled with Arsenal over a newfangled contract, in the hope of a new biennial deal. In keeping with the club ‘s policy regarding players over 30, Pires was entirely offered a 12-month propagation to his contract, which expired in June 2006. [ citation needed ] In May 2006, Pires agreed to an propose from Villarreal [ 44 ] after a calendar month of speculation, during which time he and Arsenal defeated Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final. [ citation needed ] One of the chief reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under director Arsène Wenger. Pires was quoted saying : “ I have to say I have had some disappointments this season. For case, I was on the bench very much ”. Pires additionally suggested that Wenger ‘s decisiveness to withdraw him in the UEFA Champions League Final showed he had slipped in the eyes of his french boss. Pires said that he felt hurt by how Wenger did not trust him anymore, which was a major factor that convinced him that it was time to move on from Arsenal. [ citation needed ] On the official Arsenal matchday program for the game against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2007, Pires revealed his grief of being substituted so early on during the Champions League concluding. Pires stated : “ I was very defeated. When I saw my phone number on the one-fourth official ‘s board to be substituted, I could n’t believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in presence of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was identical difficult to take ”. [ citation needed ] On 11 July 2008, Arsenal fans voted Pires as the golf club ‘s one-sixth greatest musician of all time. [ 45 ]
Villarreal [edit ]
In May 2006, Pires agreed to join spanish side Villarreal on a biennial condense. He joined on a complimentary transfer, subject to passing a medical, bringing to an end his six-year career as an Arsenal actor. [ 46 ] After Villarreal were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2006 Champions League by Arsenal, Villarrael coach Manuel Pellegrini had wanted to sign Arsenal ‘s Pires or Thierry Henry. [ 47 ] He scored his first finish for the clubhouse in 3–3 pre-season pull back with Newcastle United on 5 August 2006. however, on 18 August 2006, Pires damaged the cruciate ligament in his leave knee in a friendly match against Cádiz and required corrective surgery to alleviate the problem, which kept him out of natural process for seven months in his new cabaret in spanish top flight. Pires last recovered from knee injury and made his first league appearance for Villarreal as a second-half utility when he was named in Villarreal ‘s team to face Real Sociedad on 17 March 2007. Pires scored his first base league goal on his return from injury in a 3–3 withdraw away to Real Betis on 31 March 2007. After three appearances as a substitute, Pires made his first begin for Villarreal on 22 April 2007 against Barcelona. He opened the score for his team to defeat league leaders Barcelona 2–0, avenging his previous deviation against Barcelona in the Champions League Final the former May. [ citation needed ] On 13 May 2007, in a 4–1 winnings at Osasuna, Pires scored a seventh-minute undoer as Villarreal continued their late-season push button for a european point. The move took Villarreal, at 11th touch without him in the side, to the brink of a UEFA Cup place in barely six weeks. Villarreal ended the temper in 5th blot wherein Pires played crucial roles in helping Villarreal with the late charge up winning each of their final eight games and an entrance into the UEFA Cup. [ citation needed ] The 2007–08 season was marked by the ongoing saga between Juan Román Riquelme and the control panel of Villarreal. Despite this distraction, Pires ‘ leadership qualities helped Villarreal to win six of their afford eight games. Against Barcelona at El Madrigal, Pires ‘ technique earned the Yellow Submarine two penalties which were punctually converted by captain Marcos Senna. [ citation needed ] Villarreal ended up end second in La Liga behind Real Madrid, which was their best league finish in history, beating Barcelona into third plaza. [ 48 ] In 2009, Pires faced erstwhile club Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in the first leg and playing the full 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium. Villarreal were defeated 4–1 on aggregate, but Pires received a quick reappearance from the Arsenal supporters, who sang his name throughout both legs. [ citation needed ] Pires was told in May 2010 that his abridge would not be extended and he would have to look for a new club during the summer as Villarreal will be “ changing their philosophy ”. [ 48 ]
Aston Villa [edit ]
Pires returned to England and trained at London Colney – Arsenal ‘s trail ground, in regulate to keep his fitness levels up. [ 49 ] In October 2010, it was reported that Conference National club Crawley Town intended to talk to Pires about joining them for some part of the season, but the musician ‘s spokesman said they were “ not mindful of any pastime ” from that baseball club. [ 50 ]
Read more: Real Sociedad
On 16 November 2010, Aston Villa boss Gérard Houllier had been in talks with representatives of Pires. [ 51 ] On 18 November, the 37-year-old midfielder completed his move to Aston Villa on a six-month compress. [ 52 ] He made his villa début in the Premier League on 21 November as a second-half substitute, although his new club were beaten 2–0 by Blackburn Rovers. Pires ‘ arrival at the cabaret was praised by many of Villa ‘s aged players, including Gabriel Agbonlahor, Stewart Downing and Shane Lowry. [ 53 ] [ 54 ] [ 55 ] Pires scored his inaugural goal for Aston Villa in the 3–1 FA Cup acquire against Blackburn Rovers on 29 January 2011. His adjacent begin was besides against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on 26 February. His operation in Villa ‘s 4–1 acquire was described by Sky Sports as “ his most influential ” since joining the club. [ 56 ] In early March, Pires announced that he would like to remain at Aston Villa for the 2011–12 season. [ 57 ] [ 58 ] Villa boss Gérard Houllier responded positively to this claim, but admitted that no decision would be made until the Summer of 2011. [ 59 ] however, he was released by the clubhouse on 27 May 2011 after the 2010–11 season finished. [ 60 ] In September 2011, Pires made a guest appearance for scottish Premier League side Hibernian in Ian Murray ‘s Testimonial match at Easter Road. [ 61 ]
FC Goa, India ( retirement and coach ) [edit ]
Pires in 2017 In September 2013, Pires made a node appearance for Premier League Aston Villa in Stiliyan Petrov ‘s Testimonial equal at Celtic Park. [ citation needed ] In July 2014, Pires announced a rejoinder to promote the launch of the indian Super League. [ 62 ] [ 63 ] On 2 September 2014, he was signed by FC Goa, becoming their pavilion sign. [ 64 ] The 40-year-old came out of retirement to play for Goa, one of eight teams in the newly created league. [ citation needed ] “ For me the project and the passion for the bet on are very significant. India needs a start. You need to progress. And for me, that was authoritative. I had offers from the USA and Qatar but I wanted to be function of a raw begin for the sport in India. As for the conditions, we all know about them – but I ‘m fix and training arduous. I like the pressure ”, he said. Pires is a regular at Arsenal ‘s train land, using the facilities to stay fit, and said that he spoke to Arsène Wenger about playing in India : “ He told me if you have it in you and if you have the passion to go maneuver in India, then do it. And I think I ‘m cook. ” “ The reception at the airport was amazing ”, he said, on his introduction in India, before adding, “ Thank you for the welcome India … and the piquant food. ” [ 65 ] Pires made his league debut for Goa on 15 October 2014, a 2–1 frustration to Chennaiyin FC. [ 66 ] On 25 October 2014, he was given a two-match ban for insulting Atlético de Kolkata ‘s director Antonio López Habas. [ 67 ] He scored his beginning league goal on 13 November 2014 in a 4–1 away win over Delhi Dynamos. [ 68 ] Pires was released by Goa on 13 March 2015. [ 69 ] On 25 February 2016, Pires announced his retirement from professional football. [ 70 ] Pires expressed interest in and was approached by Arsène Wenger with respect to coaching. As of 2016, Pires has commenced a career as a footballing coach with the first team at Arsenal. [ 4 ] [ 71 ]
International career [edit ]
Pires was part of France ‘s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads, but had to miss the 2002 World Cup due to an injury he sustained playing for Arsenal. He besides played in 1996 Olympic Games and Euro 2004. however, a dispute in late 2004 with french national passenger car Raymond Domenech put a freeze to Pires ‘ international career. He won 79 caps for his area and scored 14 goals. He won the Golden Ball ( for most outstanding football ) and Golden Shoe ( for most goals scored ) awards at the 2001 Confederations Cup in South Korea /Japan. Pires provided two golden goal assists during his international career, first setting up Laurent Blanc against Paraguay in the 1998 World Cup turn of 16 and providing David Trézéguet with the match-winning musket ball in the Euro 2000 concluding. The former was the first Golden Goal always scored at a FIFA World Cup. [ citation needed ]
personal biography [edit ]
Pires playing in a charity match in March 2014 In 1992, during his initial year at FC Metz, Pires met his beginning wife, Nathalie. [ 7 ] The two were married for six years and divorced in 2003. Pires told The Daily Mirror that his divorce ruined him and affected him professionally, interfering with his concentration and sleep. He besides blamed it for his leftover behavior, such as publicly fighting with french coach Raymond Domenech in early 2004. [ citation needed ] curtly after the split from Nathalie, Pires met french mannequin Jessica Lemarie through common friends. On 10 August 2005, she gave give birth to the copulate ‘s first child, Naia. Since then, Lemarie and Pires have married and had a son named Theo, born 11 July 2007. [ 72 ] On 17 January 2012, Pires became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an external non-profit that uses the might of football to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV. [ 73 ]
career statistics [edit ]
cabaret [edit ]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[74]
Club
Season
League
Cup
Continental
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Metz
1992–93
Division 1
2
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
1993–94
Division 1
24
1
5
0
0
0
28
1
1994–95
Division 1
34
8
2
1
0
0
36
9
1995–96
Division 1
38
11
7
2
0
0
45
13
1996–97
Division 1
32
11
3
1
6
0
41
12
1997–98
Division 1
31
11
6
2
3
0
41
13
Total
161
42
23
6
9
0
195
47
Marseille
1998–99
Division 1
34
6
2
0
11
3
49
9
1999–2000
Division 1
32
2
3
1
11
2
46
5
Total
66
8
5
1
22
5
95
14
Arsenal
2000–01
Premier League
33
4
6
3
12
3
51
10
2001–02
Premier League
28
9
5
2
12
3
47
14
2002–03
Premier League
26
14
7
2
9
0
42
16
2003–04
Premier League
36
14
5
1
10
4
51
19
2004–05
Premier League
33
14
6
2
8
1
48
17
2005–06
Premier League
33
7
3
2
12
2
48
11
Total
189
62
33
12
62
13
287
87
Villarreal
2006–07
La Liga
11
3
0
0
2
0
13
3
2007–08
La Liga
34
3
5
1
2
0
41
4
2008–09
La Liga
32
3
0
0
8
1
40
4
2009–10
La Liga
28
4
2
1
7
2
37
7
Total
105
13
7
2
19
3
131
18
Aston Villa
2010–11
Premier League
9
0
3
1
0
0
12
1
FC Goa
2014
Indian Super League
8
1
0
0
0
0
8
1
Career total
538
126
69
20
113
19
720
165
International [edit ]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[75]
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
France
1993
1
0
1994
9
0
1995
12
0
1996
11
1
1997
4
1
1998
14
1
1999
9
1
2000
10
2
2001
13
4
2002
1
0
2003
12
4
2004
13
0
Total
79
14
- Scores and results list France’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pires goal.
Honours [edit ]
Metz
Arsenal
France
Individual
Orders