Arsenal legend Robert Pires has revealed he is ‘still a big fan’ of the club, and the club is in his blood after his time there.
Pires spent six years with the Gunners after arriving from Marseille in 2000, going on to make 189 appearances in total for the club before joining Villarreal in 2006.
His time as a Gunner was an extremely successful one, with him winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and reaching the Champions League final in his last season there.
He was also a key player in Arsenal’s famous Invincibles side that went unbeaten on their way to the title in 2003/04, a feat that he still considers ‘perfect’.
“I’m still a big fan,” he told Kicker.
“I had six fantastic years there. Of course, things are not going so well at the moment, and Arsenal are not where they should be.
“But I will always support the club. Arsenal is in my blood. I am very proud to have been part of the “Invincibles” in the 2004/05 season.
“We won the title unbeaten, which is very difficult to do in the Premier League. That team and that season were just perfect.”
One way for Arsenal to get back to where they, and the likes of Pires believe they should be, could be through the Europa League.
They take on Villarreal in the second-leg of their semi-final clash this evening, looking to overturn a 2-1 defeat from the first-leg in Spain.
If they can turn things around, they are likely to face old foes Manchester United in the final, with them pretty much in the final after a 6-2 win over Roma in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Pires is certainly hoping his old side can make it through, although he believes they would be underdogs against United in any final.
“Phew! It’s hard to say who I stand by because I had great times at both clubs. It’s like asking me, ‘Who do you like more? Your mother or your father?’” he added when asked about the clash vs Villarreal.
“For me, this game would have actually been a great final.
“Villarreal played well in the 2-1 win in the first leg, but Arsenal now have home advantage and a great chance to reach the final. My money is on a 2-0 win for Arsenal.
“Manchester should go through to the final after their 6-2 win, provided they take AS Roma seriously in the second leg.
“In a final against Arsenal, Manchester United would be favourites to win the Europa League. But as we all know, anything is possible in a final!”
