The Green Green Grass of Home

Arsenal fans might remember the panic that set in a few seasons ago when it was revealed that Marc Overmars was off to Spain. But then again, they might not. Because the flying winger who scored so many vital goals, who seemed irreplaceable, was replaced. By a better player – Robert Pires.

‘Bobby Pires’, as the fans like to call him, has been an absolutely terrific player for Arsenal. A great passer of the ball. A creator, and scorer, of wonderful goals. Real Arsenal goals. And much more than that, he is, like the great Dennis Bergkamp and the incomparable Thierry Henry, a genius.

And now, it seems like déjà vu. In keeping with their policy for players over 30 years of age, the club has offered Robert a one year contract rather then the two year deal he covets and as a result, rumours are rife of a move to Villarreal, or Benfica, or…

It is a sound policy and upon mature reflection it was acceptable to Bergkamp. So everyone at Arsenal will hope that it will be acceptable to Pires too, who is wanted and needed at the club.

What they will also hope is that he will not move, only to discover – as Overmars did, and Anelka did, and Petit did - that the grass is not greener elsewhere.

And for Highbury, read ‘Emirates Stadium’.