Hitting his stride

French forward Robert Pires (R) and Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo fight for the ball 25 April 2001 during the friendly game between France and Portugal at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. AFP PHOTO PATRICK HERTZOG

Robert Pires has a habit of playing instrumental roles in crucial goals for France. Firstly, he supplied the pass for a golden goal winner in the 1998 World Cup second round win over Paraguay and during extra time of the Euro 2000 final set up David Trezeguet for the extra-time strike that made his country European champions.

The Frenchman has picked up more than 60 caps for France, but it is his recent improved form at Arsenal that has made neutrals sit up and his place in the national set-up of the future is almost guaranteed.

Sadly, towards the end of arguably his finest season at club level, he tumbled awkwardly whilst avoiding a tackle and tore knee ligaments, ruling him out of the 2002 World Cup where France were dismal.

Eastern promise

Metz's forward Robert Pires (L) controls the ball with his chest in front of Lille's defender Fabien Leclerq 24 May 1997 in Metz during a French championship soccer match.

Born in Reims to a Portuguese father and Spanish mother, Pires began his career in his hometown but moved to Metz in 1992 where he continued his low-key start in the game.

He was the driving force behind the French League Cup victory in 1996 and two years later Metz finished joint top of the table, cruelly losing the title to Lens on goal difference.

A move to Marseille in 1998 followed and he played in the Uefa Cup final that season when Parma of Italy ended the French side's hopes of European success with a comprehensive 3-0 win in Moscow.

Problems increased at the controversial southern French club throughout the following season and Pires was known to be unsettled.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger threw the Frenchman a lifeline and brought him to the Premiership where he has since thrived.

Physical

Arsenal London's French midfielder Robert Pires (R) fights for the ball with Radek Mynar of Sparta Prague during the Champions League Group B match played in Prague 12 September, 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

After an initial period when he had trouble adapting to the pace of the English game, Pires has since shown English crowds that he is not only highly skilled but has the resolve to deal with the physical demands of the English game.

AFP PHOTO-OLIVIER MORIN

World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet handed Pires his international debut at 23 against Mexico and since then Jacquet's successor Roger Lemerre continued to place his confidence in this elegant and multi-faceted player.

Despite his serious injury in 2002 which meant he was not part of the final matches of Arsenal's 'Double' winning season, he still impressed English sports writers enough to win England's player of the year award.

He was in full flow for the Gunners in their swashbuckling rampage toward the 2004 English Premiership title in an Arsenal side so impressive that the championship was considered scant recompense for their brilliant season.

Pires scored 15 league goals himself and just needs to stay fit to play an instrumental role for France at Euro 2004.