Robert Pires stirs memories of Arsenal's lost domination over Tottenham

Spurs have turned the tables in the north London derby. On Sunday Arsenal travel along Seven Sisters Road as underdogs

As Arsène Wenger prepares to pick a team to take into the enemy's lair at White Hart Lane on Sunday, there is one player out on the training pitches of London Colney who must almost torment him by his presence. Robert Pires is back at Arsenal. He turns 38 at the end of the month, and is keeping himself trim for a suitable opportunity to continue his playing career as long as possible because he cannot quite let go of the game he adores. Pires was one of Wenger's most inspired purchases – not least because of a phenomenal record in north London derbies.

Considering this was a player who famously sat on the substitutes' bench for an hour of his first game in English football with his eyes on stalks and a heavy feeling in his stomach as Arsenal lost a bruising encounter at Sunderland, Pires was not an obvious choice to throw himself into the hostile heat of the derby. He was booked in his first north London duel, and with his feathers duly ruffled, went on to score eight times in 12 games. Three times he was the match-winner. Twice he delivered an equaliser to deflate the opposition at White Hart Lane. He has no idea what it feels like to lose one of those loaded encounters.

With such experience on tap, Wenger must feel a tiny bit tempted to at the very least bring him into the dressing room this weekend to build up a team whose wobbles mean they have mislaid the hex they held over Tottenham for years.

For a decade under Wenger Arsenal enjoyed a 21-game unbeaten spell over Spurs in the Premier League. But since that ended in April 2010, Tottenham's two wins and a draw have altered the psychology of the match completely.

Pires was a tanned and enviably relaxed spectator at the Emirates during the week as Arsenal squeaked past Olympiakos. He was grateful for the booster of a win ahead of the derby. "Confidence is vital, and it's true that Arsenal have not had a good start to the Premier League," he said. "This is a complicated game. But for the team to have won against Bolton and Olympiakos in the build-up to the derby is important."

The team's fortitude has been worrying him. As he explained to France Football magazine in the post-mortem of Arsenal's 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford: "I don't like too much to compare teams and players. We had our team, our leaders. This team – and it was already evident last season when you think about the defeat to Birmingham – doesn't have the foundation, the guys who can lift their team-mates back up. Arsène has to build his team like he has always wanted to, with players who love the ball, but with warriors too." He expressed relief to see players such as Per Mertesacker and André Santos arrive with all their experience.

The difference between the team Pires graced and the current group is striking. But so, too, is the difference in Spurs. Consider the players involved when Arsenal won the title at White Hart Lane in 2004, the climax of the Invincibles' season. A couple of minutes into the game, Tottenham had a corner. It was taken by Johnnie Jackson and aimed at Anthony Gardner.

When Ashley Cole won possession, Thierry Henry picked up the ball and ran turbocharged towards the opposite penalty area, he slipped the ball to Dennis Bergkamp, whose cross was driven in by Patrick Vieira. The Spurs line-up that day also included Mauricio Taricco and Michael Brown. Arsenal had Sol Campbell, Gilberto Silva and the other goalscorer – Pires.

Even though Tottenham salvaged a draw, even those with most intense white and blue tinted spectacles would admit there was a gulf in quality. Today, the nature of any discernible gap is such that Arsenal travel along the Seven Sisters Road as underdogs. What they wouldn't do for a younger Pires in the starting XI. "I have big memories of this game," he said last week outside the players' lounge at the Emirates. "Against Spurs it is always special. It has particular meaning, and as players you understand that. It's true that if you have the chance to score against them it is great, as it means so much for the fans."

There is, incidentally, another recent Arsenal player with eight goals from north London derbies. His name is Emmanuel Adebayor.

Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 1 Oct 11

Pires return to haunt Arsenal?

Players often return to play against their former clubs, but Arsenal fans could certainly be forgiven for looking twice when they see Robert Pires running out against them at Villa Park. The 37-year-old has recently signed a deal until the end of the season at Villa and will almost certainly play some part against the Gunners as Gerard Houllier looks to bring some creativity to his midfield, writes Jon Carter.

It is much needed, as Villa have won just one of their last eight games and have slipped to some very disappointing results of late: a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and a 2-2 draw (after going up 2-0 with ten minutes to go) against Man Utd to name but two.

However, Villa can take solace from the fact that Arsenal are also a team in the midst of a crisis. Three defeats on the bounce - including a morale-sapping second half capitulation to Tottenham in the North London derby - and Arsene Wenger faces a tough task to get his side firing again.

The return of Robin van Persie could be a major boost as he returns from injury, but Cesc Fabregas' hamstring injury leaves the Gunners short in midfield. Now, more than ever, they need an inspirational player to get their title tilt back on track.

Aston Villa player to watch: Robert Pires. A hero at Arsenal, Pires returns to play against his former side after spending a few seasons in Spain with Villarreal. At his peak, his vision and dribbling skill was among the best in the world, but his powers have waned with age. Bought for his creativity, Pires will not get a full 90 minutes but can still thread a killer pass or deliver a telling cross that could very well turn the game. His intimate knowledge of Wenger's tactical plans could also come in handy.

Arsenal player to watch: Andrei Arshavin
The Russian has not fulfilled his potential since joining the Gunners last year and often drifts in and out of games. Plying his trade on the wings, Arshavin's goal threat has been missing this season as he has picked up just two Premier League goals, but he has the skills to turn a game and will be charged with providing the creativity alongside Samir Nasri in the Arsenal midfield. If he manages to get free, Arshavin will always be a danger, but the mental side of his game is a weakness at the moment and he could prove to be more of a hindrance than a help.

Key battle: Stewart Downing vs Bacary Sagna
Unlucky to have been left out of the England squad, Downing has been one of the star performers for Villa this season. His crossing ability creates countless chances, while he has also chipped in with more than his fair share of goals - both right- and left-footed - this season, with four so far. Fast and tricky, the fact that he is left-footed gives Villa balance, but he faces one of the best right backs in the business in Sagna. The Frenchman is robust in the tackle and will be well rested after Emmanuel Eboue filled in for him midweek, but his major strength is his pace and commitment. One side of the pitch will certainly be worth watching.
 
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 27 Nov 10