ROBERT PIRES has a smile as wide as the Seine again when he is talking about Arsenal.
That is because the Gunners‘ Invincible is convinced Mikel Arteta and his young superstars are about to bring the good times back to the Emirates.
And Pires is so optimistic about the future, he believes boss Arteta could lead them to a Champions League spot THIS season.
The Frenchman unleashed that famous smile, so recognisable to Gunners fans, when asked why he has such great belief in Arteta and starlets Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, who face Manchester United on Saturday.
He said: “Mikel is young and needs time to implement his ideas but I believe that once he has built his team, Arsenal will be competitive and ready to go toe-to-toe with the great English clubs.
“It’s hard but I would not even rule out that they finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League this year because things change quickly in the league.
“If I see Liverpool having tough periods, I’m telling myself there is an opportunity for Arsenal to grab.
“They only need to get back to winning ways and then maintain the consistency. Then anything can happen.
“It’s imperative the supporters stay patient because Arsenal are in transition but the club’s future under Arteta looks bright.”
Pires, part of the team that went unbeaten in 2004 and won the Premier League twice, believes Arteta’s top-level playing experience and his understanding of the club’s philosophy stands him in good stead.
The 47-year-old former midfielder, who is still a club ambassador, added: “I believe that Arteta is the right manager to rebuild the team.
“I’m optimistic for the club’s future because I see many quality players, not least the young players that have come through lately.
“Besides, Arteta played at a high level with Arsenal and was also Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Man City. The fact he played for the club means he knows the way Arsenal are supposed to play.”
Arteta’s Arsenal won the FA Cup last season but have struggled this campaign, sitting ninth in the Prem and out of both domestic cup competitions.
Pires heaped praise on Arteta’s ability to get the best out of academy graduates such as Smith Rowe and Saka.
And he is convinced the pair will be the driving force behind Arsenal’s resurgence.
They showed promise last season but Saka and Smith Rowe have come of age this term and Pires has urged the Gunners’ hierarchy to tie them down to long-term contracts to ward off inevitable interest.
Pires said: “I want to see Arsenal win the league because that was always the club’s priority.
“Now, it’s little by little. The club needs to have a proper structure in place, a blend of young and experienced players.
“Players with experience are important to keep the balance in the team and help the young ones fulfil their potential.
“I like the youthful exuberance and freshness of the academy players coming through. The number of homegrown players ruffling feathers in the first team is really positive.
“Smith Rowe and Saka can make a big impact and the club must, at all costs, offer them long-term contracts.
“Emile and Bukayo came through the youth academy, have shown they have the quality to hold their own and they love Arsenal.
“Their love for the shirt is important and the board must do whatever it takes to keep hold of them.
“They are Arsenal’s future but there are going to be difficulties. That’s why adding experienced players is of paramount importance.”
Asked if new big contracts could lead to a loss of hunger, Pires replied: “Definitely, it’s dangerous for young players but if a big-money offer is on the table it means the club has faith in them.”
He added: “Once they sign the deals, it’s down to the experienced players to guide these players.
“The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette are the bosses in the team and I’m sure they know how to go about things with young players.”
Pires, who made 284 Arsenal appearances and scored 85 goals under former boss Arsene Wenger, sees similarities between the Frenchman and Arteta, not least in the way they play on the front foot.
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He added: “The one thing that unites Arteta and Wenger is they both set up to attack, to dominate.
“We expect this club to play beautiful football and entertain the fans. I don’t think Arteta will copy Wenger or Guardiola as he has his own ideas but the principles remain similar.
“Arteta has a precise style in mind that he wants to set in stone — playing beautifully and more importantly, winning.”
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