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Robert Pires picks four ex-Arsenal stars in his ultimate 5-a-side team

mirror.co.uk, 20 May 2021, 14:14
Former Gunner Robert Pires has selected his ideal 5-a-side team which includes four ex-Arsenal stars and one French international who he regards as the "best" player

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has chosen four other ex-Gunners in his ultimate 5-a-side team.

Pires played for Arsenal from 2000 to 2006 and won two FA Cups and two Premier League titles in his time at the club.

He revealed his ideal team to UEFA Europa League's Twitter and it's a team many would have in their fantasy leagues if they could.

He selected former Gunner Jens Lehmann - who played at the club from 2003 to 2008 and had a short spell in 2011 - as his goalkeeper as he was a "good spirit" in the game and the utmost "professional".

His defender would be Sol Campbell as he is "strong and physical" on the pitch. The former centre-back starred at Arsenal from 2001 to 2006 and he had a short return stint in 2010 before retiring a year later.

In the midfield he chose Patrick Vieira as he is "unbreakable" and he was his captain at Arsenal.

The other midfielder he would have in his team and the only player who didn't star for Arsenal is Zinedine Zidane. Pires selected the former French international because "he is the best, number one".

And his striker would be Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as it was a "privilege" to play with the French player. Henry made over 250 appearances for Arsenal from 1999 to 2007.

Pires announced his dream team ahead of the upcoming Europa League final.

Manchester United will take on one of Pires' former teams Villarreal in the Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first final in charge.

The team have reached four other semi-finals since January 2020 but they have ended in heart-breaking defeat.

Solskjaer will hope to lift his first United trophy on May 26 and to do so he will have to select his best team.

Selection for the match is proving a headache for the boss, especially when it comes to goalkeepers.

Dean Henderson has become the No. 1 choice for United but David de Gea has played the majority of his football in the Europa League this season and so the decision will be a tricky one for the manager.

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