Robert Pires has responded to critics who have labelled Arsenal ‘boring’ throughout their title-winning season.
Speaking to Eurosport ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final in Budapest, the former Arsenal winger was asked of what he would say to those who claim the Gunners are a defensive team who are reliant on scoring from set pieces.
Rather than pushing back, he agreed, up to a point.
“Sure. They are right, no problem. But I don’t have a single problem with that,” Pires said. “Today, corners, dead ball situations, are a weapon that Arsenal have mastered. Why don’t others do the same?
“It’s also a team that’s supposedly boring, but at the start of the season, were liked by everyone.
“Mikel Arteta has changed gears. Last season they played beautiful football; they played well. It was a team that you wanted to watch.
👀 TRUE or FALSE: Mikel Arteta will become Arsenal’s greatest ever coach if he wins the PL and UCL titles…
“Except, they finished second in the league, and were eliminated in the semi-final of the Champions League.”
Pretty football gets you nowhere if it doesn’t translate into trophies. Arsenal have adapted, evolved and won, and Pires has no issue with how they have done it.
Robert Pires takes aim at Manchester United pundits
Robert Pires also had a lot of direct praise for Arteta, while having a dig at some of his old rivals. “What I like is that Mikel Arteta has learned a lot. Even former Manchester United players have started to criticise us. But that’s not important.”
He’s likely referring to the likes of Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel who have been very vocal about their displeasure in watching this ‘boring’ Arsenal team.
To be fair, some ex-Manchester United players, such as Wayne Rooney, have been consistent in their praise of Arsenal and Arteta this season.
Pires is backing Arsenal to carry the momentum of their Premier League title win into Budapest.
“They’ll go there with a lot more power and a lot more energy. It will galvanise them even more.
“They know very well that it’ll be a difficult final. But they’re there, they will be present — they play in Mikel Arteta’s image.”
Twenty years after his own painful Champions League final experience, Pires wants nothing more than to see Arsenal finally win it.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
