Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Monday April 6 2009
Time: 11:06AM
UK time is: 08:54:48
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Pires Will Go For The Jugular, But Won't Celebrate
Football has always had a habit of reuniting old friends (or foes) in pretty much every cup tie in every competition, and Arsenal's Champions League quarter final against Villarreal tomorrow is no different as Gunners legend Robert Pires will face his old team for the first time since leaving in 2006.
When Arsene's army scooped the double in 2002, Robert Pires was arguably the best player on the planet, whilst his theatrics may have been frustrating at times (and what most rivals fans remember him for) his flare, skill, passing and eye for goal has earned him legendary status in North London.
Bobby himself remembers his time at Arsenal so fondly that should he break Gooner hearts by finding the net, he wouldn't celebrate as a gesture of respect ..... but that's not to say he won't be trying his damnedest to knock his former employers out for the season.
'When I go out to face Arsenal for the first time since leaving, there will be a lot of emotion, but I`m sorry Arsenal fans, if I can play well and eliminate them then I`m going to do it. But for Villarreal, not for me.' Said Bobby
'We are teams with contrasting styles but also with top-quality players. It`s not the best thing to be playing the return leg away from home but if we perform like we have in the past we can get through.
'If I`m lucky enough to score I know that I won`t celebrate, simply as a gesture of respect to a club, and their fans, which have meant so much in my career.'
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Your Comments
Outside of Arsenal quaters, he's very under-apreciated. Great, allround footballer. Completely off topic here, but does anyone know if our Stadium will still bear the name 'Emirates Stadium' when the sponsorship deal runs out?
ArsenalRob
Outside of Arsenal quaters, he's very under-apreciated. Great, allround footballer. Completely off topic here, but does anyone know if our Stadium will still bear the name 'Emirates Stadium' when the sponsorship deal runs out?
ArsenalRob
As long as we are 5-0 up at the time I would be happy for Bobby to score - and celebrate!
Amos.
As long as we are 5-0 up at the time I would be happy for Bobby to score - and celebrate!
Amos.
The naming rights for the Emirates don't expire until 2019 so it won't be an issue for another 10 years. Then the club are free to renew the sponsorship or rename the stadium if another sponsor were to buy the rights.
Amos.
The naming rights for the Emirates don't expire until 2019 so it won't be an issue for another 10 years. Then the club are free to renew the sponsorship or rename the stadium if another sponsor were to buy the rights.
Amos.
Our Stadium will always be Ashburton Grove ;-) Pires never gets mentioned in the same breath as previous foreign 'greats' but for me he's well up there with anyone that's played in England.
shewore
Our Stadium will always be Ashburton Grove ;-) Pires never gets mentioned in the same breath as previous foreign 'greats' but for me he's well up there with anyone that's played in England.
shewore
I think the club made a bit of a mistake with the naming rights. Southampton (and yes I realise the irony of pointing them out as a model for decision making at a football club) gave their stadium a name and stuck the sponsor's name in front of it, knowing full well people would not bother with 'The Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium' and abbreviate without the sponsor. By giving the stadium no other identity other than its sponsor, the club have missed a trick to get more onside with fans and the next sponsor will be less forthcoming as they know it will take people a few years to stop calling it 'The Emirates.'
Little Dutch
I think the club made a bit of a mistake with the naming rights. Southampton (and yes I realise the irony of pointing them out as a model for decision making at a football club) gave their stadium a name and stuck the sponsor's name in front of it, knowing full well people would not bother with 'The Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium' and abbreviate without the sponsor. By giving the stadium no other identity other than its sponsor, the club have missed a trick to get more onside with fans and the next sponsor will be less forthcoming as they know it will take people a few years to stop calling it 'The Emirates.'
Little Dutch
Hehe LD I don't think Emirates Airlines would have approved it had it been something like Emirates Ashburton Grove or Emirates New Highbury Stadium or something? They're smarter people than the Friends Provident guys I guess. Back on topic, I had been missing Bobby a lot ever since he left - until we signed AA to be perfectly honest. Only now do we have true replacements of Bobby and Freddie in Nasri and AA. And I agree with Amos, after we've secured our place in the semis, I actually don't mind Bobby scoring and celebrating. I would even celebrate with him if I were one of the Arsenal players lol. I mean the likes of Kolo or Cesc should still like and respect him.
GoonerLou
Hehe LD I don't think Emirates Airlines would have approved it had it been something like Emirates Ashburton Grove or Emirates New Highbury Stadium or something? They're smarter people than the Friends Provident guys I guess. Back on topic, I had been missing Bobby a lot ever since he left - until we signed AA to be perfectly honest. Only now do we have true replacements of Bobby and Freddie in Nasri and AA. And I agree with Amos, after we've secured our place in the semis, I actually don't mind Bobby scoring and celebrating. I would even celebrate with him if I were one of the Arsenal players lol. I mean the likes of Kolo or Cesc should still like and respect him.
GoonerLou
hehehe GoonerLou make the two of us but as long as we go through ;)...I miss the invincible team bar Cashley ;)
CoastarianGooner
hehehe GoonerLou make the two of us but as long as we go through ;)...I miss the invincible team bar Cashley ;)
CoastarianGooner
Thanks Amos, yeah Lou, although if we were 5-0 up I'd rather he scored a wonderstrike owngoal, exchanging a one-to with Cesc and then come and celebrate with us.
ArsenalRob
Thanks Amos, yeah Lou, although if we were 5-0 up I'd rather he scored a wonderstrike owngoal, exchanging a one-to with Cesc and then come and celebrate with us.
ArsenalRob
Sam's back for Villareal!
ArsenalRob
Sam's back for Villareal!
ArsenalRob
Yeah Rob that'd be awesome lol!
GoonerLou
Yeah Rob that'd be awesome lol!
GoonerLou
I really miss Bobby. I sometimes watch that 2001/02 season review dvd and Pires is simply one of the best players ever to pull on an Arsenal shirt. His goal scoring was quite astonishing .... and the were mostly beauties. Even won us an FA Cup! It will be good to see him again!
Rocky7
I really miss Bobby. I sometimes watch that 2001/02 season review dvd and Pires is simply one of the best players ever to pull on an Arsenal shirt. His goal scoring was quite astonishing .... and the were mostly beauties. Even won us an FA Cup! It will be good to see him again!
Rocky7
Off topic too but has anyone got a Pires shirt in his last season. I only had enough money to buy 1 shirt so I opted for Bergkamp that year but now (more like ever since) I want a Pires too but they're all sold out
stukazufuss
Off topic too but has anyone got a Pires shirt in his last season. I only had enough money to buy 1 shirt so I opted for Bergkamp that year but now (more like ever since) I want a Pires too but they're all sold out
stukazufuss
I loved Pires when he played for us, but last summer he really made me mad. He was over here in the States for a free kick contest and I brought my Pires jersey from the Invincible season. After the competition was over, all of the players went out to the crowd to sign autographs, everybody except Pires. On his way back down the tunnel he walked right past me and he even saw that I had his jersey but he kept on walking. I don't know what was up his **** that day.
gunnerkid107
I loved Pires when he played for us, but last summer he really made me mad. He was over here in the States for a free kick contest and I brought my Pires jersey from the Invincible season. After the competition was over, all of the players went out to the crowd to sign autographs, everybody except Pires. On his way back down the tunnel he walked right past me and he even saw that I had his jersey but he kept on walking. I don't know what was up his **** that day.
gunnerkid107
Seeing that RVP is out 4 tommorow this would be my formation Alumnia,Sagna,Toure,Gallas,Clichy,TH14,denilson,Song,Fab4,Nasri,Adebayor. Nasri playing behind Adebayor. If were like 6-0 up with 10 minutes left at the emirates (wishful thinking) i hope Pires scores just to see what reaction he gets from the crowd. It would sound as if our own player had scored lol
gunner24
Seeing that RVP is out 4 tommorow this would be my formation Alumnia,Sagna,Toure,Gallas,Clichy,TH14,denilson,Song,Fab4,Nasri,Adebayor. Nasri playing behind Adebayor. If were like 6-0 up with 10 minutes left at the emirates (wishful thinking) i hope Pires scores just to see what reaction he gets from the crowd. It would sound as if our own player had scored lol
gunner24
Out of all our ex-players, it is Bobby I miss the absolute most. Even more than Bergkamp and Vieira. I actually met him briefly once in the summer of 2002 and got his autograph. Can't help it, I've always had a crush on him. But beyond that, only zizou has given me more joy just watching him play. Watching Bobby play made me feel like a kid again, it hurt like hell to see him leave us.
jaelle
Out of all our ex-players, it is Bobby I miss the absolute most. Even more than Bergkamp and Vieira. I actually met him briefly once in the summer of 2002 and got his autograph. Can't help it, I've always had a crush on him. But beyond that, only zizou has given me more joy just watching him play. Watching Bobby play made me feel like a kid again, it hurt like hell to see him leave us.
jaelle
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/75778/Wenger-avenger/
Pires interview about getting taken off in that final. If somehow they knock us out, I'd love to see Pires lift the trophy. Especilly if he beats Man Utd and Lpool/Chelsea along the way.
ian7
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/75778/Wenger-avenger/
Pires interview about getting taken off in that final. If somehow they knock us out, I'd love to see Pires lift the trophy. Especilly if he beats Man Utd and Lpool/Chelsea along the way.
ian7
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