Pires: We know the pressure is all on us

14 April 2012

Arsene Wenger claims that he does not look for Chelsea's results - and if you believe that, then you might also accept the tale that a card wishing Ruud van Nistelrooy a swift recovery from his injury is on its way to Old Trafford from the Arsenal manager.

Chelsea's win at Portsmouth puts the pressure on Arsenal to come away from Newcastle tonight with all three points, a fact acknowledged by Robert Pires.

The French midfield player has hit a streak of excellent form, something he puts down to a break in international fixtures.

It has meant a rest from his feud with France coach Raymond Domenech.

Pires said: "To be honest, I am happy to have a long period without international games. All everybody was talking about was the French team and the problems with Domenech.

"My head was spinning with all that talk. I was wasting too much mental energy talking about it and thinking about it."

Arsenal have been the beneficiaries from Pires's focus on matters at club level and he realises that it is dangerous to let Chelsea hold on to their eight-point advantage.

For the moment, Chelsea are very strong," said Pires. "We have to follow their rhythm. And their crunch moment will come in the Champions League against Barcelona. That tie will be so close, a real 50-50. I know that it won't be a pleasure party for us against Bayern Munich, but Barcelona is a very tough match. And those matches take so much out of you.

"I think Chelsea suffered through that last season. They beat us in the Champions League and then it was another six matches before they won again. Those games exhaust you."

Arsenal's last visit to St James's Park came in April, on the way to the Premiership title.

Pires added: "I just hope the pitch is in better condition than when we played up there last season. We drew 0-0 but we were exhausted by then after the programme of matches.

The last thing we expect it to be tonight is easy. On a December night, the weather will be cold but the atmosphere will be hot."

Wenger has been full of praise for the contribution of Pires this season.

After the 2-0 win over Fulham on Sunday, the Arsenal manager said: "Ten league goals is remarkable for a midfield player at this stage of the season."

Pires puts it down to the new attack- minded philiosophy he adopted after the serious knee injury in the spring of 2002. "Since I came back from that, I have played more and more and more offensively. I feel the goals are there. My best season with Arsenal was two years ago when I scored 15 in the league.

"I hope I can beat that record but to be honest that is not so important. The important thing is that Arsenal are successful, not how many goals I get."

Wenger will tonight give another outing to talented 21-year-old Dutch star Robin van Persie. The £3million signing from Feyenoord will come in because Dennis Bergkamp has a thigh injury and will hope to make a more significant impact than in his last Premiership start, in the 1-0 win at Portsmouth. He was substituted after 68 largely ineffective minutes and replaced by Bergkamp.

Van Persie looked ill at ease with the physical nature of the game and he can expect more of the same tonight as Newcastle look for a win to take pressure off Graeme Souness.

Arsenal have Ashley Cole back from suspension for tonight's match and Edu is fit again.

Souness has injury problems with Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi both doubtful. Alan Shearer is still out with a thigh problem.

Stephen Carr (knee), Ronny Johnsen (hamstring) and Nicky Butt (knee) all have no chance of facing Arsenal.

Darren Ambrose (hamstring) is also doubtful but Lee Bowyer returns from suspension.

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