Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Amos 
Date:Thursday April 16 2009
Time: 10:21PM
UK time is: 00:13:24
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What's French for Legend, Bobby?
In a season when the Emirates crowd has taken a bit of flak for the stick it has dished out to some players that have, at times, fallen short it is great to witness that they also know how to reward those that have earned it.
Presented before the game with a commemorative book by RedAction supporters, duly signed on behalf of VitalArsenal members by Tim Stillman, Robert Pires must have had some indication of his status amongst Arsenal supporters. As he received a prolonged, standing ovation at the end of the CL game against Villareal the disappointment he felt at being substituted in the CL final 3 years ago may have seemed a little less significant. He didn`t have to win the CL with us to have written his page as a legend in the annals of Arsenal Football Club - and gooners let him know that last night.
He is quoted on a French website as saying after the game "What the supporters at the Emirates Stadium did, I did not expect. I had a little anticipation early on but I honestly didn`t think it would be so strong. I had goosebumps. Usually the fans leave by the end of the match. Then, when I saw them stay, stand up, applaud me and shout my name, it was truly emotional. But this does not surprise me from the English who do not forget what we could do, what we won."
An interview he apparently gave to Canal+ after the game is widely quoted elsewhere, "On a personal level, it was very nice and very inspiring. Honestly, I did not expect it. Although I know that Arsenal supporters never forget their old players, despite the defeat and elimination, it warmed my heart. And I have discovered a very great stadium that I didn`t know before. For me it was a beautiful evening with strong emotions"
Urged by Wenger to get behind the team Bobby also credited the supporters for their contribution to the victory "The Gunners have some experience and then, in addition, they had with them the contribution of the crowd. It was huge. They sang the entire game."
He also found time for a chat with Arsene at the end of the game. "We discussed a bit at the end of the match. I felt relieved. I think it was a little tense before the meeting. He was aware that the match would be difficult and could raise doubts about his players."
Much like the team itself the supporters have had their critics this season but, in the same way that the team have raised their game the supporters showed they have it in them to raise theirs to. They did right by Bobby - and then some. If the modern footballer has any heart then last night showed that it isn`t only a one way street with supporters - you`ll get back what you give.
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Your Comments
There was a long queue behind me to sign, so I couldn't exactly be gushing with the prose, but if you must know I signed it 'Bobby, bon faire mon frere.' I think 60,000 of us filled in the rest when he came off the pitch. Richly deserved and I'm sure he would have got the same even had Villarreal won.
Little Dutch
There was a long queue behind me to sign, so I couldn't exactly be gushing with the prose, but if you must know I signed it 'Bobby, bon faire mon frere.' I think 60,000 of us filled in the rest when he came off the pitch. Richly deserved and I'm sure he would have got the same even had Villarreal won.
Little Dutch
The words will serve to remind him of the actions. I am sure the night will live long in his mind and long after he has finished playing its those moments he will cherish as much as any.
Amos.
The words will serve to remind him of the actions. I am sure the night will live long in his mind and long after he has finished playing its those moments he will cherish as much as any.
Amos.
So glad he got that ovation last night, I think he'd forgotten how much of a legend he actually is. He's a Villareal player, but still an Arsenal man.
ArsenalRob
So glad he got that ovation last night, I think he'd forgotten how much of a legend he actually is. He's a Villareal player, but still an Arsenal man.
ArsenalRob
"You'll always be a Gooner" made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I'll never forget what Bobby did for this club, and I hope he'll never forget what the Gooners did for him. Now all we need is to be able to give Henry a proper send off in the same way at the end of may, and all our loose ends will be well and truly tied up.
Rocky7
"You'll always be a Gooner" made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I'll never forget what Bobby did for this club, and I hope he'll never forget what the Gooners did for him. Now all we need is to be able to give Henry a proper send off in the same way at the end of may, and all our loose ends will be well and truly tied up.
Rocky7
True Legend.
Tom14
True Legend.
Tom14
My favorite player after Henry, was great to applaud him in Villareal and here. Maybe he can come back as a player coach and pass on his knowledge.
paul_ownz
My favorite player after Henry, was great to applaud him in Villareal and here. Maybe he can come back as a player coach and pass on his knowledge.
paul_ownz
I'll never forget the joys this guy brought into me and my chums, I still remeber that slip up with Henry when they botched the penalty kick, it actually stil brings a smile unto my face any time I remember it. Talk about INOVATION!!
phreddy
I'll never forget the joys this guy brought into me and my chums, I still remeber that slip up with Henry when they botched the penalty kick, it actually stil brings a smile unto my face any time I remember it. Talk about INOVATION!!
phreddy
It almost brought a tear to my eye seeing Bobby's emotional face when he applauded the fans at the end, after hugging his former teammates and having an all smiling chat with Kolo. Another article reported that he praised the young Arsenal team and said he's now a true Arsenal fan who hopes we'd go on and win the trophy. LEGEND.
GoonerLou
It almost brought a tear to my eye seeing Bobby's emotional face when he applauded the fans at the end, after hugging his former teammates and having an all smiling chat with Kolo. Another article reported that he praised the young Arsenal team and said he's now a true Arsenal fan who hopes we'd go on and win the trophy. LEGEND.
GoonerLou
Oh and indeed Rocky, it'd be absolutely PERFECT to replicate it with Thierry, exactly (i.e. with the result too).
GoonerLou
Oh and indeed Rocky, it'd be absolutely PERFECT to replicate it with Thierry, exactly (i.e. with the result too).
GoonerLou
Moments like Bobby's at the Grove defines our game and infuses it with the beauty and humanity that should humble its followers and the mega bucks stars who serves in the many temples where football is played. Pires has always been one of my favourite Arsenal players, he epitomises grace, skill and you can see the pure joy of playing the game etched on his face, the smile tempering the warrior's determination not to request or give a quarter in the single minded pursuit of his mission. I hope live smiles with him, he's a good man, with a beautiful heart.
deledudu
Moments like Bobby's at the Grove defines our game and infuses it with the beauty and humanity that should humble its followers and the mega bucks stars who serves in the many temples where football is played. Pires has always been one of my favourite Arsenal players, he epitomises grace, skill and you can see the pure joy of playing the game etched on his face, the smile tempering the warrior's determination not to request or give a quarter in the single minded pursuit of his mission. I hope live smiles with him, he's a good man, with a beautiful heart.
deledudu
*life*
deledudu
*life*
deledudu
Too many favourite Bobby goals: the lob against Schmeichel against Villa; the shot from outside the penalty area against Liverpool at Anfield; the quick feet against Spurs at White Hart Lane; the turn back and shot against Chelsea at Highbury quite early on in his career. Wenger should have kept him on because he could have added much to this team and our Club the last few years. He's still got the touch, close control and drop of the shoulder.
Gooner_Vin
Too many favourite Bobby goals: the lob against Schmeichel against Villa; the shot from outside the penalty area against Liverpool at Anfield; the quick feet against Spurs at White Hart Lane; the turn back and shot against Chelsea at Highbury quite early on in his career. Wenger should have kept him on because he could have added much to this team and our Club the last few years. He's still got the touch, close control and drop of the shoulder.
Gooner_Vin
Some of my favorite Bobby moments didn't even involve goals. THAT penalty vs Man City, his effort from well inside our own half that we tried to suck in the net from the North Bank against Real Madrid, his absolute robbing of Paddy against Juventus that led to Cesc's goal. Bobby is indeed one of my favorite players .... infact I have a cat named in his honour (a cat that earnt himself a place in our house by feining injury .... lol)
Rocky7
Some of my favorite Bobby moments didn't even involve goals. THAT penalty vs Man City, his effort from well inside our own half that we tried to suck in the net from the North Bank against Real Madrid, his absolute robbing of Paddy against Juventus that led to Cesc's goal. Bobby is indeed one of my favorite players .... infact I have a cat named in his honour (a cat that earnt himself a place in our house by feining injury .... lol)
Rocky7
"(a cat that earnt himself a place in our house by feining injury .... lol)" LOLOL How amazingly appropriate Rock!
LondonGooner
"(a cat that earnt himself a place in our house by feining injury .... lol)" LOLOL How amazingly appropriate Rock!
LondonGooner
My favourite Bobby moment will always be the lob against Schmeichel. It's poignant in hindsight because he got injured in the next game. It just said everything about him as a footballer, it was graceful, elegant, well thought out and brilliantly executed. Plus, I was front row centre behind that goal and that's a horrible view from that stand at Villa Park, but at that moment it was the absolute best place to be in the whole country. But I am also very fond of that challenge on Vieira, or a time at Leicester away in 2002. The ball went out of play and he was stood over next to the Arsenal fans and as we chanted his name he began to clap along in time to the singing.
Little Dutch
My favourite Bobby moment will always be the lob against Schmeichel. It's poignant in hindsight because he got injured in the next game. It just said everything about him as a footballer, it was graceful, elegant, well thought out and brilliantly executed. Plus, I was front row centre behind that goal and that's a horrible view from that stand at Villa Park, but at that moment it was the absolute best place to be in the whole country. But I am also very fond of that challenge on Vieira, or a time at Leicester away in 2002. The ball went out of play and he was stood over next to the Arsenal fans and as we chanted his name he began to clap along in time to the singing.
Little Dutch
It's true LG - We have three cats, Bobby, who used to hang around near the house limping until my wife let him in and as soon as he was through the door he never limped again (and never left either), Jose, who is small, timid and doesn't like to go outside, and Freddie, who was given to me because the family had small children who didnt really know how to treat pets. Freddie is a white cat, but when I got her she had a patch of red on her fur where the kids had poured Ribena on her. There was a time we had one called Kolo, but he went for a walk and never came back (and he was big and black and liked to header stuff) ...... if you haven't guessed the only way I let my wife have her cats was if I was allowed to name them .... lol
Rocky7
It's true LG - We have three cats, Bobby, who used to hang around near the house limping until my wife let him in and as soon as he was through the door he never limped again (and never left either), Jose, who is small, timid and doesn't like to go outside, and Freddie, who was given to me because the family had small children who didnt really know how to treat pets. Freddie is a white cat, but when I got her she had a patch of red on her fur where the kids had poured Ribena on her. There was a time we had one called Kolo, but he went for a walk and never came back (and he was big and black and liked to header stuff) ...... if you haven't guessed the only way I let my wife have her cats was if I was allowed to name them .... lol
Rocky7
The hat trick goal I think it was in the 6-0 win against Southampton sticks in my mind. Pires ran onto the loose ball and without breaking his pigeon toed stride sent it first time over the Southampton keepers head from - what 30 yards or so? The look on his face as he turned away said "Yeah - I thought that was good too!"
Amos.
The hat trick goal I think it was in the 6-0 win against Southampton sticks in my mind. Pires ran onto the loose ball and without breaking his pigeon toed stride sent it first time over the Southampton keepers head from - what 30 yards or so? The look on his face as he turned away said "Yeah - I thought that was good too!"
Amos.
That was a beauty Amos!! I always find myself doing the Pires finger wag when one of our boys scores a particularly good goal!
Rocky7
That was a beauty Amos!! I always find myself doing the Pires finger wag when one of our boys scores a particularly good goal!
Rocky7
Aww... a little Bobby faking injury! And Freddie's a she? Cool cats you have Rocky! But why Jose...? You should get a Thierry or Denny or consider Bacary (when he becomes a legend in a few years) just so they all have rhyming names. :)
GoonerLou
Aww... a little Bobby faking injury! And Freddie's a she? Cool cats you have Rocky! But why Jose...? You should get a Thierry or Denny or consider Bacary (when he becomes a legend in a few years) just so they all have rhyming names. :)
GoonerLou
My cat is called Lettuce and I call her Le-Bob or Bobby to the annoyance of my family.
Tom14
My cat is called Lettuce and I call her Le-Bob or Bobby to the annoyance of my family.
Tom14
Legend! It was great to see Bobby get that ovation.
prits
Legend! It was great to see Bobby get that ovation.
prits
Jose after Reyes i guess. He had promise but unfortunatly lost his way. I have a dog called Kolo. I went through our current drop of players to find the most suitable name but didnt think i could call it Bacary, Cesc or Emanuel
paul_ownz
Jose after Reyes i guess. He had promise but unfortunatly lost his way. I have a dog called Kolo. I went through our current drop of players to find the most suitable name but didnt think i could call it Bacary, Cesc or Emanuel
paul_ownz
Yeah, Jose was hot stuff when the cat was born. I alway looked for characteristic in the little buggers too. I'm thinking of buying a snake and a walrus, breeding with them and calling their offspring Sam.
Rocky7
Yeah, Jose was hot stuff when the cat was born. I alway looked for characteristic in the little buggers too. I'm thinking of buying a snake and a walrus, breeding with them and calling their offspring Sam.
Rocky7
Oh right I almost forgot about him lol, Senor Jose Antonio Reyes was indeed quite hot back then. I almost thought he's on his way to stardom with both the feet and the looks, a new idol after Bobby himself! Jose must be the kind of cat that looks cool but flatters to deceive and then becomes pretty toothless eh? Well Paul, Kolo is a suitable name for a dog/cat. I think Booboo would work well too. And er Rocky if you set Sam up with a rat, Sam would give birth to a creature called Phil.
GoonerLou
Oh right I almost forgot about him lol, Senor Jose Antonio Reyes was indeed quite hot back then. I almost thought he's on his way to stardom with both the feet and the looks, a new idol after Bobby himself! Jose must be the kind of cat that looks cool but flatters to deceive and then becomes pretty toothless eh? Well Paul, Kolo is a suitable name for a dog/cat. I think Booboo would work well too. And er Rocky if you set Sam up with a rat, Sam would give birth to a creature called Phil.
GoonerLou
It was Brilliant to able to sing Bobby's on Wednesday night, and seeing him at The Grove. Thanks for everything Bobby!!
hackneyval
It was Brilliant to able to sing Bobby's on Wednesday night, and seeing him at The Grove. Thanks for everything Bobby!!
hackneyval
Apologies for the sacrilege of mentioning his name in the same breath as the legend, but I actually have a wayward dog named Ashley Cole. It was named before Cashley showed his true colours and its now saddled with the name for live. A case for allowing them to prove themselves before elevating them to legend status.
deledudu
Apologies for the sacrilege of mentioning his name in the same breath as the legend, but I actually have a wayward dog named Ashley Cole. It was named before Cashley showed his true colours and its now saddled with the name for live. A case for allowing them to prove themselves before elevating them to legend status.
deledudu
Great player!!
tanokan1
Great player!!
tanokan1
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