Arsenal winger Robert Pires was today unveiled as the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year, just as he prepared to undergo an operation on the knee injury which has curtailed his sparkling season. Pires won the prestigious award by just five votes from Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in a record poll, with England captain David Beckham finishing a close third.
Van Nistelrooy therefore missed out on adding the FWA crown to the Professional Footballers' Association award, which he received last weekend. However, Pires, 29, fully deserves the recognition for doing as much as anyone else to bring the title race alive, offering pace, penetration and poise to the Arsenal attack.
Team-mate Thierry Henry was placed fourth, while Liverpool's contribution was recognised by defender Sami Hyypia finishing fifth.
Filed by Shane Murray
