Arsenal legend Robert Pires explained how hard the Leeds United duo were to play against.
Thierry Henry and Robert Pires – Arsenal celebrate winning the league
Gunners legend Robert Pires sat down for an exclusive interview with popular football magazine Four Four Two, and discussed the intense nature of the Premier League, highlighting two particularly tough opponents that he faced during his time in the English game.
The Frenchman enjoyed a tremendously successful six-year spell with Arsenal, making 284 appearances, during which time he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
His time in north London came to a disappointing end, however, when he was sacrificed by Arsene Wenger in the 2006 Champions League final after Jens Lehmann received his marching orders in the 18th minute.
He is still remembered by the Arsenal fans as a true legend though, and how they could do with someone like Pires in their side now.
The 43-year-old spoke exclusively to Four Four Two magazine, and discussed his time in the Premier League, pinpointing two opponents who were particularly combative:
Danny Mills in action for Leeds
“I used to receive plenty of knocks from the likes of Mills – and Rio Ferdinand too – but you have to get on with it. It’s part of the game.”
Both Mills and Ferdinand were part of the successful Leeds side that reached the Champions League semi-final in 2001.
Rio went on to play for bitter rivals Manchester United just one year after that, however, and the rest is history.
Garry Monk has restored some pride back into the West Yorkshire club, however, despite their failure to gain promotion this term, but they do at least look like they are finally heading in the right direction again.
Rio Ferdinand
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