Arsenal legend Pires tips Wanyama to play for Gunners

Visiting Arsenal Football Club Legend, Robert Pires at a media briefing at Barclays office park Nairobi on December 4, 2015. Mr. Pires is in the country to unveil a new programme by Barclays Bank of Kenya and Mathare Youth Sports Association dubbed “Sport for Kenyan Youth Employment.” PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU

What you need to know:

  • Arsenal legend Robert Pires has said Kenya and Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama is good enough to play for Premiership giants Gunners.
  • Pires is in Kenya for a three-day visit courtesy of English Premier League sponsors Barclays.
  • The Frenchman, who was part of Arsenal squad that won the 2003/2004 English Premier League title unbeaten.
  • Pires won three Premiership titles and a similar number of FA Cup honours with Arsenal. He played 79 times for the French national team.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has said Kenya and Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama is good enough to play for Premiership giants Gunners.

Pires believes that the current Southampton midfielder has all the qualities he needs to shine at Arsenal, adding that the Harambee Stars captain would be a welcome addition to Arsenal.

Pires, who is in Kenya for a three-day visit courtesy of English Premier League sponsors Barclays, was speaking on Friday at the Barclays Bank offices in Nairobi.

The Frenchman, who was part of Arsenal squad that won the 2003/2004 English Premier League title unbeaten and was been voted one of Arsenal’s greatest players by fans, said Wanyama is a good ambassador for Kenya “but the Southampton midfielder needs to score more goals as this will give him a slight edge in his future career.”

GOOD AMBASSADOR

“I know Wanyama. He is a very good ambassador for Kenya and he has shown that there is a lot of talent in the country,” Pires said on Friday.

“I have watched him play many times and, like all other African footballers, I wish him well. Play for Arsenal?  Why not! He has the speed, skill and physique. I however think he needs to score more goals because then he will be world-class material,” he added.

Pires arrived in Kenya on Thursday evening for a three-day visit which will see him visit Mathare Youth Sports Association. He will also meet some Barclays Bank customers.

HUGE CHALLENGE

Asked why his former club has gone for more than a decade without winning The English Premiership title, the Frenchman admitted Arsenal should win the league trophy soon, but the competitive nature of the league is a huge challenge.

“It has been ten years. That is long time to be honest. You and I know that Barclays Premier League is very competitive. Right now there is Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool and they all want to win it. Also, the team has had so many injuries,” he said.

“I still train with the team sometimes and I know that right now they are suffering because close to ten players are out injured. I however hope that they win it soon because the fans are waiting,” he said.

Pires won three Premiership titles and a similar number of FA Cup honours with Arsenal. He played 79 times for the French national team.