Wenger pays tribute to Arsenal legend
Manager Arsčne Wenger yesterday paid tribute to former winger Robért Píres after news of the Frenchman signing for Aston Villa on a free transfer broke.
Píres, who is a free agent after being released by Spanish club Villarreal, signed for Gerard Houllier's side yesterday evening, making a remarkable Premier League return.
Houllier is currently short of options in midfield due to injuries and Píres could be thrown into action quickly.
The 37-year-old won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with us and will go down as one of Arsenal's all time greats. He also won the European Championships in 2000 with France.
The 1998 World Cup winner, dubbed 'Super Bob' by the Emirates faithful, has been training with the club the last few months to maintain match fitness.
Wenger said: "For me, Robért Píres was, before his injury, the best left sided player in the world.
"With us, he used to literally fly. If he no longer has the speed of his younger years then he can still give a lot of service to Aston Villa thanks to the science of his play."
Píres had a lengthy discussion with Wenger before completing his switch to join Villa and has also received the backing of French national boss Laurent Blanc.
Blanc said: "I think if Gerard Houllier has made the decision he can offer something then he is not going to be far wrong.
"He is maybe getting on a bit in years but both technically and skill-wise he can still bring something to the party with Aston Villa."
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