Pires close to deciding on future http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4880600.stm Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires is likely to make a decision on his future in the next two weeks. The 32-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, is keen to remain with the Gunners but is unhappy with their offer of a one-year deal. Pires has been linked with a move to Arsenal's Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal. But he said: "I will make a decision in a couple of weeks, but it is nice to be watched by other clubs." Pires said: "In an ideal world I would like to stay at Arsenal. but the circumstances have to be right and, like every player, I want to be playing." And he warned Villarreal will present a tougher task than Italian giants Juventus, who Arsenal beat comfortably in the quarter-final. Pires said: "They will be far harder opponents than Juventus. They are defensively sound and possess some good midfielders." The Frenchman joined the club in 2000 and was voted Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2002. He has made over 250 appearances for the club since his ￡6m arrival from Marseille, having previously played for Metz. Pires has recently been quoted as saying the amount of time he is likely to play for the first team, rather than the length of the deal, will determine whether he signs a new contract with Arsenal. He has made it clear his first option would be to stay at the club to help the current crop of young players as they prepare for the move into their new stadium next season. -- Thom: "Everyone in this house please say 'Yeah'!" ------ Everyone:"Yeah!" ------ Thom:"Fucking hell, it works." --

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