May 25
Arsenal announced today that fan favorite Robert Pires has decided to leave the club in favor of a move to Champions League Semi-Final opponents, Villarreal. The Spanish club offered the 32 year old midfielder what Arsenal would not; a two-year contract.
Super Bob scored 84 goals in 284 appearances for the Gunners, including several clutch goals against Spurs - the 2001 FA Cup Semi-final stands out in my mind.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say he’ll be missed.
46 Responses to “Adios Bobby”
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May 25th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Now who’s going to be the team diver?
I’d say Reyes does a pretty good job at that.
He was my favorite Arse player and it’s sad to see him go. Best wishes Bobby.
May 25th, 2006 at 8:54 am
I’ll miss him.
The goal he scored at Villa Park lobbing Schmeichel is my favourite Pires goal.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Good bye, Sir Robert.
Yes, he will be missed.
Sad part of the business to see guys that put in so much sweat equity to the club leave but it is part of maintaing a competitive side. Saddest part is he’s going to Villareal who are out of CL and UEFA Cup football next year.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:25 am
That “chipped” lob shot Pires had against Leeds a few years ago from almost the touchline was pretty darn sweet for me.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:43 am
my bow for Bobby! he is arguably the best left mid player ever at the arsenal !
if not for lehmann’s red i am sure he could have been a deciding factor in that CL match…….
but the biggest loss now is that he is our HIGHEST scorer apart from henry. and for the last 4, 5 years…..
nobody in our present team can be trusted to reach 10 goals!
we need a GOAL SCORER !!!….if we put all our eggs in the TH basket again, that will be a lot of egg on our face !!!
May 25th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Oh, I wish he would have stayed in Arsenal one more year. Arsenal should have surly given him 2 years contract. This Fu*** stupid the over 30 contract thingy.
He just turned 32 … so what ..we need expereinced guys in mid.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:49 am
i dont’ know if its just me…but i’ve been thinking….if vieira was playing for us in that CL final …the outcome could have been so easily different.
ofcourse this point is moot because we probably won’t have got to the final anyway…..but the final is a one-off match and with a man down vieira might have been decisive in the midfield battle……..
ah nostalgia kicking in……i might as well just go on to say i wish we had our 2004 “invincible” team for that final match….
4-4-2….bergy and henry, vieira and gilberto, bobby and freddie, lauren……
ah memories!
we will miss you bobby !!!
good luck !
May 25th, 2006 at 10:05 am
It’s been great to see Robert fulfill his potential at Arsenal, he has been one of my favourite players ever to pull on the shirt and will miss him.
It was such a shame about his cruciate ligament injury in 2002, because prior to that he was going out on the pitch and ripping teams apart single-handed. He was on fire.
I really cannot understand why he has joined Villarreal though - they are a selling club and have no chance of challenging for the Spanish Championship - they haven’t even made the UEFA Cup.
It’s almost though he has left because his ego refuses to accept a 1 year contract when he wanted two. Surely he is wealthy enough not to require the additional 1 year contract, and if Arsenal decided to let him go he would have no trouble finding another club at the end of the season anyway.
Good luck to him whatever he does though.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Happy trails Bob. You were great servant for the club . I dug up the obligatory if a bit cheesy compilation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqcdUExcCw4&search=robert%20pires
May 25th, 2006 at 10:31 am
A really great player- alongside Henry, Vieira and Freddy you could say that he was one of the most important of Wengers signings and the epitome of the Arsenal style that we are so lucky to be graced with. Thanks for everything!!
Not sure about you but I for one get upset when we don’t have a real chance to say thankyou and goodbye to the like of Bobby/Vieira (ok the latter we were able to, but without CL for Villareal football it’s unlikely we’ll see Bob back at Highbury- in his playing career anyway)
‘Tis a shame!
May 25th, 2006 at 10:44 am
I don’t think that Villarreal are selling club. They already signed Nihat and Pires, and they are going for Cani from Zaragoza and Tristan from Deportivo. So they are looking to strenghten the squad for the next season, and I think that they will be competitive in La Liga, except if they sell Riquelme.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:50 am
In response to one of the comments above, Wenger’s policy is just fine. Bob has been a brilliant servant for us and even this season has had his moments. However, his moments have come less frequently than they used to. Two years is a long time in footballing years. Why should Arse give out 2 years at a time. He’s not saying players can’t stick around and play. Look at DB10. He’s just saying that you’ll have to stand up each year to show you’ve still got it. Sure there are exceptions, but on form this year, Pires should not have gotten a 2-year deal. That’s the policy.
And secondly, believe in Wenger. I think he was right in selling Viera when he did. He’s also not the man he was. I think it has been evident during his last season with us and even to an extent during his time at Juventus. Who’s to say we would have made the CL Final with him on the field. He’s been on the team and healthy and had numerous opportunities to get there. Wenger can’t live in the past. He has to stay current and make changes based on what we all see in games and what he sees in training every day. I trust the man with his decision with Pires and Viera.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:52 am
There have been some great left sided players at the Arsenal in my time.
Brady and Overmars stand out for me.
We have done well replacing key names, I am sure Reyes and Rosicky can fill his boots and add a new option for Arsenal and help us move forward.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Might I add a thanks to Bob because the fact that he may not be what he used to be, he was fantastic in his 6 years. We wouldn’t be the sexy Gunners without him.
Great performances, great goals, great gunner.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:55 am
It is a good rule.
AW likes to put players on a pay as you play as well.
He was on plenty of money and he has helped reduce the wage bill by leaving.
His forrm dipped this season and he had more injuries.
On current form he does not get into the first XI and that is the reason why he is leaving.
Good luck to him, he was a great player.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Remember one thing, players that leave the Arsenal dont go on and better themselves.
AW only lets players leave once he has finished with them and thinks they cannot perform to their previous best.
Bobby was a great player, he took a while to settle in but was part of the three musketeers, we only have one left now.
May 25th, 2006 at 10:58 am
they struggled this season as they looked towards the CL for success.
They meet the best team in the world and were lucky to only lose by a single goal over 180 mins.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Arsenal’s greatest left midfielder ever. In terms of contribution to the team, both by scoring crucial goals, and being such an unselfish team player.
Among the current Arsenal players, I think Pires scored more clutch goals than anyone. Apart from the goals MikeK pointed out, there was also that CRUCIAL goal in our unbeaten season against Liverpool. It was Pires’ goal which drew us level, allowing Henry to shine later on… Also that 5-3 thriller against Boro in the same season, again it was Pires’ goal who drew us level… Late this season in the Dennis Bergkamp Day, once again it was Pires’ goal which drew us level…
He’s never an eye-catching player like Henry, but when we needed a goal most, he always popped up.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:04 am
i do feel the same way as u. Particular when u consider the circumstance when he played his last game for us (only last 18 mins…). Hopefully he will be back for the Dennis Bergkamp testimonal.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Remember that moment in our 2002 season trophy presentation, the whole Arsenal team got down on their knee and hailed Pires? It was one of the most memorable and touching moment as a Gunner fan for me.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:19 am
There goes my favourite Gunner.This one’ll be hard to get over. Next year now seems so far away. He’s Super Bobby Pires!
May 25th, 2006 at 11:39 am
I love Bobby and am terrible at goodbyes, so I’m just going to pretend he’s out with an extended injury.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:52 am
I can understand why Pires would leave for a 2-year deal. It is a business on both ends. He has to make as much guaranteed money as he can, at this point in his career.
Who knows how much he has made or saved. It might make no sense to an ordinary person who works a 9-5 job all there life… but these players have a LIMITED window of opportunity to make as much money as they can.
Pires linked and meshed with HENRY like NOBODY else in our team. They were on the same page and wavelength… and that type of chemistry will be very difficult to replace. His scoring statistics are excellent. Year in and year out, always our 2nd best scorer. That will also be very difficult to replace.
Pires has been excellent for us… he will be missed by BOTH his team-mates and the supporters. Having said all that, we simply HAVE to grow as a team and improve every year. There is no standing still. Sometimes this means an older player has to leave. The New England Patriots do this every year. Its about value for the money. There is no doubt Pires is on the downside of his career. Still very good, but he’s no spring chicken, and his value and skills “should” go down a bit in the next few years. So… I think it had to be done on both sides. Arsenal had to stick to their guns on the 1-year deal scenario, and Robert had to do what was best for him and his family.
Best of Luck Super Bob, and thank you for all the great memories.
May 25th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Yup and that too when he was injured for the last few crunch months. That showed what the team thought of him. That was the year when he scored that beautiful goal against Villa. Genius and pure class! I assume you have read his book Andez?
May 25th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Seriously, seriously going to miss him!! I am going to miss him more than when PV left…Always liked Pires!!!
I remember a few years ago when the French quartet were involved in scoring a goal against Spurs — Pires’s shot was blocked but Wiltord scored. The commentator said ‘if one does not get you, the other will’. Well Wiltord, Vieira and now Pires have gone from that group. Only Henry is left.
Thanks for all the great memories Pires!!!
May 25th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
I can’t believe I ended my post with the same words as yours ‘great memories’
Didn’t do it on purpose man…
May 25th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
YES… that was a great moment.
It tells you what his teammates thought of him.
That’s for sure.
May 25th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
I hope he is at BERGY’s TESTIMONIAL in July.
That would be a fitting end.
Perhaps Vieira will be back as well??
It would be good to have them run out at the GROVE… as both played a big part in the club growing and improving so much in their tenure… that we went ahead and built a new stadium.
May 25th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Yup I did SachinG (read his book)! I’m an Arsenal mad, i read all the books from Wrighty, Seaman, Adams, Vieira, Wenger, Henry, even NIall Quinn!
May 25th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
SachinG me too! Pires is my all time most favourite player. I’ll miss him even more than Tony Adams. I love players who’s unselfish. There is no one else more unselfish than Pires.
Stag, I can feel how u felt when u lose ur favourite Paddy right now!
and u r so right, without Paddy, Pires the likes, there may not be a need for the new stadium at all. They are part of the sum that made it possible. Would definitely love to see them show up in Dennis’ testimonal.
May 25th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
Agree with u 100% on this one Stag.
And i think of Pires, it’s also a sense of security (that he doesn’t need to worry about a contract extension again next season at least). I think deep inside he may be a bit disappointed by Arsenal as well. With all that he had contributed to the club, why he needs to BEG for a two year contract? I really don’t like this policy.
May 25th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
A few years ago I would have been sad to see him leave but I thought his best days were clearly behind him and am happy to see him leave. Having said that, I think he was one of Arsenal’s all-time greats and his career was fabulous. I wish him the best of luck in Spain.
May 25th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
A great player. Will be missed.
I had hoped he would have been prepared to play a few more seasons as back-up. He obviously doesn’t see it that way.
It shows the difficulty in building a deep squad.
May 25th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
It must have been love but it’s over now.
May 25th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Arsenal will miss Pires. His astounding goal contribution for the past few seasons. None of the current crop of midfielders even come close. I will miss the Pires ’shuffle’ - his unique style of dribbling and running with the ball. He scored quite a few crucial goals for Arsenal. Like the winner away to Pool during the unbeaten run. Like the equalizer against Spuds earlier this season. A highly intelligent footballer. He will do well in Spain.
May 25th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
One year or two years? Jeez, I don’t see the difference. I think he has made a mistake myself? Mute point ? he’s gone!
I think he should of stayed for the one year deal. He’ll be walking next to Patrick on the links, looking at this Arsenal team fly by in the seasons to come.
Six good years with Robert Pires (Bob, they have your position covered.)
___________________________
We strengthened the midfield with Rosicky now we need another proven goal scorer. That or Van Persie, Hleb, and Reyes need to starting scoring plus-minus 10 goals.
It’s looking good for Ashburton Grove. Keep up the good work Mr. Wenger.
It kills me that his name is Ars?ne of Arsenal. It’s like Philly being the name of the coach of Philadelphia, as an example. I wonder if the pronounce the team as Ars?nel in France? Just thought I’d get that abstraction of my chest, for anyone that gives a (rhymes with tit).
I’m changing my name to Art!
May 25th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
you never impressed me as a sentimental sap
May 25th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Art?
Art Van der Lay?
May 25th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Via con dios my friend!
May 26th, 2006 at 12:37 am
Art Who der Lay?
No it’s Art Van der Laid! I’m fifty and I already have the T-Shirt; it says “it’s been laid”?.
Art the Artist. I don’t make many Arts as progeny but I make a 5hit load of Art and my name is Art.
Art Bin Layd To is my second choice of name.
I’m just too sexy for my jersey, my jersey..
ART BIN LAyD TO #13
May 26th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Nice picture by the way MikeK.
He looks so young… :)~
May 26th, 2006 at 12:40 am
number correction
ART BIN LAyD TO #69
May 26th, 2006 at 5:31 am
Au revoir Bob, thanks for the memories. I’ll never forget that goal against Liverpool, ‘he knew it the moment he hit it’.
Can’t say I’m terribly sad to see him go, I think the timing is about right. Of course he would’ve been great to keep in the squad, but his playing time was rapidly diminishing along with his overall effectiveness. He’s chosen to have some fun in the sun at a slightly lower level to see out the end of his career, and I can’t really say I blame him, but it’s not really what I think of as ‘true gunner’… but to each his own.
Good luck in Spain Bob!
May 26th, 2006 at 5:48 am
This website clearly shows how vital Pires was to the team.
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=390091&CPID=8&clid=3&lid=1490&title=Pires+a+Gunner+goner
Who will score the goals in his absence? It’s time for others like Reyes and RvP to step up.
May 26th, 2006 at 8:08 am
I’ve also found that Roxette sums up my feelings when it comes to Arsenal.
May 26th, 2006 at 8:10 am
I reserve one tear from one eye for my favorite sports legends.
Btw, an inspired bell tower. Great stuff.