Robert Pires: Relishing Arsenal return

Robert Pires admits he is looking forward to resuming his role with Arsenal Football Club following his participation in the Indian Super League.

The 41-year-old was FC Goa’s marquee player in the inaugural league, helping guide the club to the last four of competition where they eventually lost out to champions Atletico Kolkata.

Pires, who also confirmed he remains undecided over whether or not to continue playing football, feels lucky to still be part of a club that he says changed his life.

“I head to Dubai for a few days to relax but in January I hope to go back to Arsenal in my role as a club ambassador,” Pires told Sky Sports.

“I expect to go to Indonesia on behalf of the club towards the end of January and in February I will do some work for a French TV channel covering the Champions League.

“But for me Arsenal is like a second family. Arsenal changed my life when we’re talking about football so I know I’m privileged to still be a part of the club.

I don’t know if I will go into coaching but if I do so at Arsenal, it will be after Arsene Wenger’s reign. Robert Pires

“I’m part of it mainly because I’ve kept a good relationship with Arsenal and particularly with Arsene Wenger. So for me now it’s amazing to work for this club.”

Pires, who was voted as Arsenal’s sixth best player of all time in a poll conducted in 2008, admits he has no immediate plans to go into coaching.

“I don’t know if I will go into coaching but if I do so at Arsenal, it will be after Arsene Wenger’s reign,” he said. “I still need to do my coaching license so I’ll need to take my time. I still need to take it step-by-step.

“But today Arsene Wenger is the manager. I hope that will be the case for a long time, because I think Arsenal and Wenger is like Ferguson and Manchester United – it’s for life.”

Football fans throughout India mobbed Pires during the Super League and the former Marseille and Villarreal winger admits playing on the sub-continent was an eye-opener.

“It’s been a great experience for me,” he said. “But I feel like this league has been a good opportunity for everybody - the marquee players like myself - as well as Indian players.

“I was surprised by the passion people have for football in India. The way I was received was incredible and most of the fans remembered me for my time playing with Arsenal.

“The people in India love football and they especially love the Premier League and Arsenal.”