The all-time Arsenal great who almost joined Real Madrid instead

Speaking to the 'Daily Mail', Robert Pires revealed how he almost completed a move to the Spanish giants before eventually joining Arsenal from Ligue 1 side Marseille.

"It was difficult - I had three options in Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus," Pires said. "And normally if Madrid want you, you go to Madrid. It's one of the best clubs in the world."

Wenger played a huge part in bringing his compatriot to England, as revealed by the former winger himself: "But then Wenger called me. If the manager calls you, you know you are very important to him. When I had this contact with Wenger I thought: 'This is the great opportunity'."

"And then I spoke with Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit at Euro 2000 and they all told me: 'No, no. You need to go for Arsenal!'," he added.

Two days after setting up David Trezeguet for the golden goal in the Euro 2000 final, Pires was in an Arsenal shirt. However, upon seeing the pace and physicality involved in the Premier League, he began to question his decision.

"After 20 minutes of watching the game I said to myself, 'What am I doing here, this football is not for me. I cannot play here'." He eventually adapted to the demands of English football and lifted the Premier League title in his second season at Highbury.

The glory of the Invincibles campaign in 2003/04 followed and Wenger and Pires also tasted the success of three FA Cups along the way, Pires scoring the winner in the 2003 final against Southampton.