How Arsenal Beat European Giants Real Madrid To Sign Robert Pires
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
A Transfer Twist That Shocked Real Madrid
It’s hard to imagine Robert Pires anywhere else but in Arsenal red and white, gliding down the wing with that effortlessly deceptive stride.
But back in the summer of 2000, the Frenchman’s journey to north London nearly took a very different turn, one that might’ve ended in the white of Real Madrid.
Fresh off winning Euro 2000 with France, Pires was Europe’s most wanted man. Real Madrid, then deep into their Galáctico era, were confident he was Bernabéu-bound.
The press in Spain certainly thought so, especially after photos surfaced of Pires in a Madrid shirt. Even some in his own family questioned his sanity when he didn't seal the move. But just when the script seemed written, Arsène Wenger stepped in and flipped the plot.
The Arsène Effect
Pires himself recalls the moment Wenger changed everything: “Maybe two or three days after the picture, I called Arsène Wenger and he changed my mind. That’s why I signed for Arsenal and it was the best decision I ever made,” he said in an interview with arsenal.com.
It was a masterstroke of timing and persuasion. Wenger, ever the magician in the transfer market, convinced Pires to leave the Euro celebrations behind for a trip to north London. There, he secured the signature of a player who would soon become a Premier League icon, and for just £5 million, no less.
From Shaky Start To Starring Role
Pires didn’t hit the ground running, at least not immediately. The physical nature of English football was a shock to the system, and his early form had fans wondering whether he'd adapt.
But once he found his rhythm, there was no stopping him. With the vision of a playmaker and the killer instinct of a striker, Pires redefined what a winger could be at Arsenal. His low-key, swaying style disguised a lethal ability to read the game and deliver in the moments that mattered.
Rising To The Occasion
One of those moments came in March 2001, on a particularly emotional day for the club. Arsenal faced Spurs just hours after learning of David Rocastle’s passing. Wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt, Pires broke the deadlock, a goal drenched in sentiment and symbolic of his growing influence.
From there, he never looked back. He became the heartbeat of the 2001/02 Double-winning side, dazzling fans and defenders alike. His lobbed goal over Peter Schmeichel at Villa Park still lives rent-free in supporters’ minds.
By the end of that campaign, he was crowned the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year, even after a season-ending knee injury.
Master Of The Big Stage
Whether it was a north London derby or a title-decider, Pires delivered. He scored eight goals in 12 matches against Spurs and was never on the losing side in a derby. Not once.
His form during the 2003/04 Invincibles season was particularly electric. Alongside Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole on the left flank, he helped form a trio so effective it terrorised defences across the league and the continent.
The Final Chapter
Pires’ Arsenal story ended somewhat abruptly, just 12 minutes into the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona. After Jens Lehmann’s red card, Wenger had to make a tough call. Pires was the one to go. But that painful farewell didn’t tarnish his legacy.
In total, Pires made 284 appearances, scoring 84 goals and creating countless memories. He left as a fan favourite, a serial winner, and a key figure in one of Arsenal’s greatest eras.
From Madrid Dreams To North London Royalty
In hindsight, it’s easy to say Arsenal got the better end of the deal. Madrid may have been the glamorous choice, but Wenger offered Pires something different: belief, freedom, and a place in history.
“It was the best decision I ever made,” Pires said. And Arsenal fans everywhere would wholeheartedly agree.
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