Arsenal power rankings: The 10 greatest players under Arsene Wenger

5. Robert Pires (2000-2006)

Arsene Wenger had a thing for dynamic Frenchmen, with Robert Pires being one of the finest. Signing from Marseille on the millennium, not many predicted he would leave the mark that he did. He won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the Gunners before leaving to join Villarreal.

He had quite the journey throughout his career, playing for a multitude of different clubs. However, none served him quite as well as Arsenal did. It’s why he reinstates his gratitude for the club by featuring in a number of charity matches and helping out in training even to this day. He is a fan favourite for many and not only because of his work on the pitch.

Pires was primarily a winger, although he did like to drift inside. He was known for causing trouble out wide before providing service to the likes of Thierry Henry. However, he did like to get on the scoresheet himself, scoring 62 times in 189 appearances.

Pires was known for his silky approach to the game. He made Arsenal even more beautiful to watch, especially during the invincible season. Whenever he had the ball at his feet, opposition players became nervous and rightly so. He had an abundance of tricks up his sleeve, all used to beat his opponent.

Pires has Arsene Wenger to be thankful for because, without him, his career would have never reached the heights it did and nobody would look back on him with as much admiration as they do now.