Arsenal icon was so charmed by Arsene Wenger that his family told him he was ‘crazy’
Arsene Wenger had so much power over one former Arsenal player that he turned down his dream transfer.
The Arsenal legend is responsible for some of the greatest moments in the Gunners’ history.
Wenger led one of the best squads in Premier League history with the Invincibles, a side crafted to go an entire season unbeaten.
One of the unsung heroes from the favoured XI of the 2003/04 campaign was Robert Pires, but things were almost so different for the Frenchman.
Robert Pires turned down Real Madrid for Arsenal
Pires still passes comment on Arsenal, remaining very close to the club with which he won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups.
Though the former winger is very much considered an Arsenal icon, there were, at one point, doubts over whether his paths would ever even cross with the Gunners.
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website in a 2018 interview, Pires admitted that in the days leading up to his transfer, he was extremely close to becoming a Real Madrid player.
“One day, I met the Spanish journalists and I was wearing the Madrid shirt, some journalists took a picture of me because the people in Spain thought it would be nice as they thought I was signing for Real Madrid.”
Pires, who was one of Arsenal’s best trainers during his playing career, thought Real Madrid were his first-choice club until he spoke to Wenger directly.
“For me, the first destination was Madrid because Madrid is, even now, one of the best clubs in the world. Some people, after my decision, especially in my family, told me I was crazy because Madrid is the best club in the world.
“The problem was that maybe two or three days after the picture, I called Arsene Wenger and he changed my mind. That’s why I signed for Arsenal, and it was the best decision I ever made.”
Pires disclosed that even those closest to him thought he was ‘crazy’ for turning down a transfer to Real Madrid, but Wenger’s proposal was clearly irrefutable, to the highest degree.
Arsene Wenger also impacted Pires’ Arsenal exit
It’s thanks to Wenger that Pires joined Arsenal, but six years later, his manager was also the reason for his departure.
The 2006 Champions League final is merely a memory of heartache for Arsenal fans, but for Pires, the late defeat hurt even more.
Just 17 minutes into the game, Pires was taken off by Wenger in reaction to Jens Lehmann’s sending off, seeing the French winger sacrificed for Manuel Almunia.
The substitution in the Champions League final ultimately ended Pires’ Arsenal career, as the club icon revealed in 2021.
The Invincible admitted that the substitution on the biggest stage of them all ‘triggered’ his departure, something Wenger caused.
Pires’ Arsenal career ended far from as hoped, but the memories he gave millions over his six-year stay will be forever remembered.