Robert Pirès, the former Arsenal midfielder and a cherished member of the legendary "Invincibles" squad, could scarcely contain his elation on Tuesday night. Appearing via video link on Canal+ moments after Manchester City’s draw mathematically secured Arsenal the Premier League title, Pirès offered a raw and emotional homage to the club he holds dear. His face breaking into a broad smile, he blew kisses to the camera—a vivid testament to the depth of feeling shared by all associated with Arsenal after ending a 22-year wait for domestic supremacy.
The title triumph, Arsenal’s first since the unbeaten 2003-04 campaign in which Pirès himself played a starring role, represents far more than just another trophy. It is the culmination of a grueling multi-year rebuild under Mikel Arteta, a vindication of the club’s philosophy, and a deafening response to the critics who had branded the Gunners as perennial nearly-men. "It’s been three times they finished second, three times they were lit up," Pirès remarked, his voice thick with emotion. "For three years they’ve been treated as losers, or told they don’t play well. But now they are champions, and that really makes me happy." The Frenchman’s words perfectly captured the narrative that had dogged Arsenal: immensely talented, yet unable to take the final step.
That narrative, however, has now been emphatically rewritten. Under the relentless scrutiny of Premier League fandom and media, Arsenal had shouldered the weight of second-place finishes, each more painful than the last. In 2022-23, they led the table for 248 days only to falter in the final weeks; last season, they pushed City to the final day but again fell short. The "losers" label, however unfair given the caliber of their performances, stuck. Pirès, watching from afar, felt the sting on behalf of his old club. His Canal+ intervention was both a celebration and a rebuke to those who had written off Arteta’s project.
The former France international also took the opportunity to defend Arteta against the barrage of criticism he has endured. "I know it hasn’t been easy for him this season because they’ve sent missiles at him," Pirès said, alluding to the tactical and personality critiques that intensified after every dropped point. The manager’s emotional touchline antics, his sometimes rigid system, and perceived over-reliance on young talents like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were all subjects of debate. Yet, through sheer force of will and tactical evolution, Arteta guided his team to a defensive solidity and attacking verve that proved uncatchable. The title is a personal triumph for a coach who, not long ago, was viewed as an unproven apprentice.
Pirès’ connection to Arsenal runs deep, and his tribute was laced with nostalgia for the Arsène Wenger era. "It’s a club that’s close to my heart, it’s where I certainly developed my best football, thanks to Arsène Wenger and the players around me," he said. "Arsenal is special, it’s a big club, it’s a family." That last word—family—resonates profoundly. It encapsulates the culture that Arteta has painstakingly cultivated, one that draws on the club’s storied past while forging a new identity. From the boardroom down to the academy, the sense of unity is palpable, and it has translated onto the pitch where the team displays a cohesion reminiscent of Wenger’s finest sides.
The moment of confirmation arrived without Arsenal even playing. Manchester City’s unexpected slip at home, which handed the advantage to the Gunners, set the stage for a coronation that was both surreal and inevitable. For the Arsenal faithful, it was a release of decades of pent-up frustration. The scenes outside the Emirates Stadium and across social media captured a fanbase that has remained fiercely loyal through the barren years. Pirès, now a television pundit, became their voice, articulating the pride and relief that words often fail to convey.
This Premier League crown carries significant implications for the ecosystem of English football. Arsenal’s ascent breaks the recent duopoly of Manchester City and, to a lesser extent, Liverpool, injecting a new, vibrant challenger into the title picture. With a young core—Saka (23), Ødegaard (26), William Saliba (23)—the Gunners are not just a flash in the pan; they are built for sustained success. The win also alters the perception of Arteta as a manager. Having served his apprenticeship under Pep Guardiola, he has now outmaneuvered his mentor in a season-long chess match, a feat that will significantly enhance his reputation.
For the players, the title is a rite of passage. The psychological barrier of not being "winners" is shattered. Declan Rice, who joined from West Ham seeking major honors, has been transformative, but the narrative will no longer focus on Arsenal’s inability to get over the line. The likes of Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, products of the Hale End academy, can now hold their heads high as champions, a status that will embolden them for European challenges to come.
Yet, the triumph is tinged with a warning: staying there is harder than arriving. The Premier League is unforgiving, and rivals will reinforce. But for now, the celebrations are unequivocal. Pirès’ emotional outpouring underscores how much this means to the Arsenal family—past and present. As he blew kisses to the screen, he wasn’t just saluting a trophy; he was reconnecting with a legacy he helped build.
In the end, the "losers" tag is banished, replaced by a shining silver symbol of resilience. Arsenal’s name is etched on the trophy once more, and Robert Pirès, the man who once glided across Highbury’s turf, reminded everyone that the journey back to the summit, while agonizing, yields the sweetest redemption.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
