Pires wants a new deal

Robert Pires today admitted he could move to Spain if he fails to agree a new deal at Highbury.

The French midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona, while new French champions Lyon have also declared their interest.

But Pires, who joined the club from Marseille for £5million in 2000, wants to remain at Arsenal for at least the next two years. He will open contract talks with manager Arsene Wenger in the next month to extend his deal until 2007.

"That is what I want, to stay here," said Pires, who has one year left on his present contract. "My first choice would be to remain an Arsenal player for at least the next two years.

"I am happy here with my life. I love my life in London and I love playing for Arsenal. They will always be a special club for me. Hopefully, when the season ends, I will be able to sit down with the manager and agree a new contract. That would mean a lot to me because I have improved so much as a player since I came.

"I don't see myself going back to France to play in the future. Spain is a possibility but my first choice is to play for Arsenal."

Pires scored the opening goal in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Liverpool yesterday which all but ensures their second-place finish in the Premiership. That means Wenger can now focus on the FA Cup Final with Manchester United. Both Thierry Henry and Fredrik Ljungberg are making such good progress that they could be fit for next Sunday's final Premiership game at Birmingham.

Wenger has already said that the pair must have at least one run-out before they can be considered for a place in the final at Cardiff on 21 May.