10 greatest Arsenal players of all time

#6 Robert Pires

Robert Pires

Robert Pires was one of the greatest midfielders to have ever played the beautiful game. Sadly, it seems as though only Arsenal fans ever gave the Frenchman his due - to the unforgiving English public, he remained the 'foreigner' who dived to win a penalty against Portsmouth.

He didn't come with the best of reputations from Marseille - Arsene Wenger was told he'd have to loan the Frenchman back immediately, so short of confidence was the midfielder who was part of the 1998 and 2000 French national team setup. Pires struggled initially, but a goal against what would become his favourite foe, Tottenham, set his career back on track.

He took the Premier League by storm - he was an ungainly footballer when he ran without the ball, but when it came to his feet, he transformed into a ballet dancer, gracefully gliding past opponents on the left wing with almost 'Gallic' ease. The finger-wag became ever more present as he displayed his knack for scoring - although his lob over Peter Schmeichel will forever remain in Gunners' memory.

A true testament of a footballer is what your teammates think of you, and when Bobby hobbled in crutches to collect his first Premier League medal in 2001/02, the rest of the Arsenal side got on their knees and bowed down.

He ended his career with two Premier League medals and two FA Cups - and they said he'd be a flop. Sometimes, Arsene knows.