Bahraini football fans turned out to listen to former France and Arsenal player Robert Pires speak about his career at the Cultural Hall in Manama last night.
Pires discussed some of his career-defining moments at Arsenal, particularly his first national team goal against Turkey on 9 October 1996 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris which was the most memorable.
“I remember all my goals, at least I think I remember all of them. However, the first goal scored with the national team is the most important. Club goals are important as well, but getting the opportunity to play for your country and scoring is special,” the left winger said.
Fans were given a treat with four people being invited to the stage to play a trivia being divided into a Robert Pires team and the second team involving the president of Bahrain Football Association, Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The two teams were asked questions concerning Arsenal and Pires’ career which ended up with Pires’ team winning.
Fans were also given the chance to ask Pires some questions with the most interesting being the reason behind Arsenal’s lack of ability to win the league.
“I understand the fans’ frustrations about missing out on the league, but the premier league is very, very difficult. I speak with Wenger frequently and he always tells me on paper, the team is very strong and he always starts the season with the aim of winning the league, but it is tough,” Pires, 43, said.
Asked about his best current Arsenal squad player, Pires quickly replied saying the team is not about one or two players. However, he said the most outstanding at the current team are Spanish player Santi Cazorla, German midfielder Mesut Ozil and Chilean attacking midfielder Alexis Sanchez.
Pires currently trains daily with the Arsenal squad at their headquarters in London.