Robert Pirès (born October 29 1973 in Reims, France) was a graduate of the FC Metz youth academy.
Robert Pirès (born October 29 1973 in Reims, France) was a graduate of the FC Metz youth academy. He made his senior debut in 1993, and during six seasons he scored 43 goals in 162 matches, winning the Coupe de la Ligue and prompting a £5 million move to Olympique de Marseille in 1998. He was then signed by Arsenal for £6 million in 2000. In 2001-02, Pirès was voted both Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year and Arsenal's player of the season, as Arsenal won the league title. His quick feet and lightning acceleration frequently left opposition defences bewildered and allowed him to set up countless tap-ins for the likes of Sylvain Wiltord, Dennis Bergkamp and, most effectively, Thierry Henry.
But what set Pires apart from most other wingers was his cool finishing ability - he managed 84 goals in 284 appearances himself, including 19 in Arsenal's historic Premiership campaign of 2003/04 when they becoming the first English top flight club to take the title unbeaten in 115 years. During the 2004-05 season he picked up a second FA Cup winners' medal after Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties.
Pires last game for Arsenal was the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League Final in Paris after which he joined Villareal on a free transfer in the summer of 2006. Pirès was part of France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads, and played in 1996 Olympic Games and Euro 2004. He has won 79 caps for his country and scored 14 goals.
