Robert Pires says he’d love to help Arsenal’s next manager in an official capacity and has backed either Mikel Arteta or Patrick Vieira to embark on a long-term project at the Emirates.

Since leaving Arsenal in 2006, the Frenchman has been a regular at Arsenal’s training ground, using the club’s facilities to stay fit before a move to Aston Villa in 2010 and Indian Super League side Goa in 2014.

A close friend of Arsene Wenger, he’s also helped coach some of the Gunners up and coming stars and held an ambassadorial position at the club.

“If the next manager wants my help, I will say yes,” he told the Mirror Football podcast.

“I want to help Arsenal and I want to help the new manager. I want to be on the staff. I think I can help. It is an option for me and I hope it is an option for Arsenal.

“Arsenal have recently had a new sporting director from Dortmund, which for me is not a problem, I respect the decision.

“But I think that some ex-players can help Arsenal. We know the high level and we won some titles.

“If I can give some advice for the players, it would be good.”

It’s not the first time that Pires has spoken of his desire to take up a coaching position with the Gunners. Back in 2014, he said that he’d love to assist Arsene Wenger, although nothing ever came of it.

Should the Gunners choose to appoint Mikel Arteta, currently the frontrunner, as the new head coach, Pires would support the move. That said, it depends on whether the board are looking to the short or long-term.

“I would agree with the appointment of Mikel Arteta,” continued Pires. “He knows the club, he used to play for Arsenal and he knows the Arsenal philosophy.

“So yes, he has a good profile to be manager of Arsenal.

“The question is for the board: is it a short project or is it a long project?

“If you go for the short project, it is important to go for a choice of manager who has a lot of experience like – and I say like – (Carlo) Ancelotti or (Max) Allegri.

“If you want a long project, I think Arteta or even Patrick Vieira is a very good choice.”

Bobby pretty much covering all the bases, thereby ensuring his free membership to the London Colney gym remains exactly that. Clever boy.