Quotes from Robert Pires

When you join a team you have to get on with everybody.

When I joined Arsenal in 2000 I learned a lot from Dennis Bergkamp. He was the mind of the team and he made things look easy.

Fans should remember Thierry Henry when he joined Arsenal. He didn't score much before becoming an icon of this club.

A team is not made up of just one player.

At 15, I was playing with the C team at Reims and I wanted to leave. It's a difficult age for a kid - I wanted to go out with my mates, party... girls... that happens to everyone. Luckily, my mum told me: 'You don't know what you want, it's football - it's your dream and it could be a great job.' She was right.

The 2002 Premier League was the best trophy for me.

It's a huge honour that I'm mentioned in the same breath as Mesut.

We always talk about Messi, but without Iniesta Barcelona are a different team.

In Spain, we always talk about Madrid and Barca for the title and that is normal because they are the two teams with the most history.

If you play in France, Spain or Italy it is not the same football, especially when you play in England. Every game is very difficult.

You can be a manager in Spain, France or Italy but when you come to England the intensity is totally different. It is about the fight, the spirit. The intensity is extremely difficult.

I love Villarreal. They are closer to my heart than any other club in Spain.

I never watched British television. I bought myself a satellite for French, Spanish and Portuguese TV, instead.

I love F1, the cars and the speed.

Mbappe always performs whether that's in Ligue 1, Champions League or with the France national team.

I learned a lot from Zinedine Zidane with the national team.

I scored eight goals in 12 games against Spurs. I'm proud of this achievement because I know this rivalry is very important for the Arsenal fans - when you score eight times against Spurs you are an idol for them. And I know the Spurs fans hate me. I know this and it is a good sensation.

Football is unique because it enables you to travel, learn about other cultures, meet new people and speak other languages.

I don't like the fact that there can be clans within a team. A team has to be unified!

For me, the goals were not important, but instead to lift some silverware at the end of the season. That is the objective for a footballer.

Being at meal time on time is simple but important for the team. You need the discipline. Every top club is like that. With Arsenal and Villarreal it was the same - strict.

Zidane was a leader and a strong character.

Whether it's a coach or a player arriving during the season it's not easy.

You know when you play for Arsenal, if you want to play for Arsenal, you need to be very, very good.