ROBERT PIRES MADE close to 300 appearances for Arsenal across his six years at the club, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Most famously, the Frenchman was part of The ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003/2004, which went through the entire campaign unbeaten.
So, when he decided to name his ultimate Arsenal XI, we thought the line-up would be easily predicted.
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Wrong!
Going with a 4-3-3 formation, the obvious high-profile, legendary players were all present and correct – David Seaman, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry while Ashley Cole is generally-regarded as one of Arsenal’s finest ever full-backs. So far, so easy.
Pires also went for Lauren at right-back rather than his predecessor Lee Dixon.
And despite only being with the club since last year, Alexis Sanchez was also included – not Ian Wright.
But it’s in midfield where the real controversy is. Pires decided against selecting Emmanuel Petit or Gilberto or Cesc Fabregas.
Instead, he went with Francis Coquelin – who has managed 88 appearances for the Gunners – and Santi Cazorla to play alongside Vieira.
What do we make of Robert Pires' ultimate Arsenal XI?
ROBERT PIRES MADE close to 300 appearances for Arsenal across his six years at the club, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Most famously, the Frenchman was part of The ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003/2004, which went through the entire campaign unbeaten.
So, when he decided to name his ultimate Arsenal XI, we thought the line-up would be easily predicted.
Wrong!
Going with a 4-3-3 formation, the obvious high-profile, legendary players were all present and correct – David Seaman, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry while Ashley Cole is generally-regarded as one of Arsenal’s finest ever full-backs. So far, so easy.
Pires also went for Lauren at right-back rather than his predecessor Lee Dixon.
And despite only being with the club since last year, Alexis Sanchez was also included – not Ian Wright.
But it’s in midfield where the real controversy is. Pires decided against selecting Emmanuel Petit or Gilberto or Cesc Fabregas.
Instead, he went with Francis Coquelin – who has managed 88 appearances for the Gunners – and Santi Cazorla to play alongside Vieira.
What do you make of the selection, Arsenal fans?
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