Robert Emmanuel Pires (born 29 October 1973) is a former French footballer and footballing coach. Pires played for French clubs Metz and Marseille prior to his time with Arsenal, where he won three FA Cups and two Premier League titles including the club's unbeaten season of 2003-04. A former France international, Pires earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He has been included in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, was the Player of the Tournament for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, FWA Player of the Year for the 2001-02 season, Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year for the 1995-96 season, and was included in the FIFA 100 by Pele.
Departure
During the 2005-06 season, Pires wrangled with Arsenal over a new contract, in the hope of a new two-year deal. In keeping with the club's policy regarding players over 30, Pires was only offered a 12-month extension to his contract, which expired in June 2006.  In May 2006, Pires agreed to an offer from Villarreal CF after a month of speculation, during which time he and Arsenal defeated Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final.  Arsenal fans and players alike were saddened by Pires's departure. His ex-Arsenal teammate Cesc Fabregas told the August 2006 edition of the Sky magazine how sad it was to lose him.  One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager Arsene Wenger. Pires was quoted saying: "I have to say I have had some disappointments this season. For instance, I was on the bench very often". Pires additionally suggested that Wenger's decision to withdraw him in the UEFA Champions League Final showed he had slipped in the eyes of his French boss. Pires said that he felt hurt by how Wenger did not trust him anymore, which was a major factor that convinced him that it was time to move on from Arsenal.  On the official Arsenal matchday program for the game against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2007, Pires revealed his heartbreak of being substituted so early on during the Champions League final. Pires stated: "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official's board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take". Pires was in fact substituted on 18 minutes for backup goalkeeper Manuel Almunia after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann who had received a straight red card.
Why did he leave the sport?
One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager Arsene Wenger.
One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager Arsene Wenger.