Former Arsenal star Robert Pires revealed that the shocking substitution by Arsene Wenger during the 2006 Champions League final played a significant role in his decision to leave the club. Pires, who was one of Arsenal’s key players, was substituted off in the final against Barcelona, a decision that left him stunned and deeply disappointed.
The match, held at the Stade de France in Paris, was already a tense affair after Arsenal’s goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off early in the game. Wenger had to make a substitution, and Pires was the one who was taken off, much to his surprise. Pires had expected either Alexander Hleb or Cesc Fabregas to be substituted instead. The decision left Pires feeling hurt and questioning his place in the team.
In his interview with L’Equipe, Pires expressed his frustration, saying, “I didn’t even look at Arsene. For me, he was going to take off Hleb or my friend Cesc, because I could help in attack and I have that very good technical relationship with Henry. It’s not arrogance. So I’m there, calm, super confident and Titi (Henry) tells me I’m the one coming off. ‘What?’ and I see the number 7 on the board. It’s awful Awful!”
The substitution was not the only factor that influenced Pires’ decision to leave Arsenal. The team’s loss in the final, coupled with Pires’ exclusion from the French national team for the World Cup, contributed to his decision. A few days after the match, Pires informed Wenger that he was leaving the club. Wenger was reportedly shocked by the news, as he had not expected Pires to leave.
Pires’ departure marked the end of an era for Arsenal, as he had been a key player in the team’s success during his time at the club. His revelation about the substitution highlights the emotional and psychological impact that such decisions can have on players, and serves as a reminder of the complexities of managing a football team at the highest level.
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