Arsenal winger Robert Pires has revealed that he rejected an approach from Chelsea this summer in order to sign a new contract at Highbury.
Pires, whose Arsenal side host Chelsea tomorrow, received the approach through an intermediary last May while he was taking a break before the Confederations Cup tournament.
"They made me a proposition and wanted to sign me, but I preferred to stay at Arsenal. It was an easy decision to make because I love playing for Arsenal. I always wanted to stay at the club," Pires told a British newspaper.
That was even before Roman Abramovich took charge at Stamford Bridge, but Pires insists he has no regrets about having signed a new three-year contract with Arsenal as he questioned Chelsea's title credentials.
"With the number of quality players who have come to the club, Chelsea have made it clear how much they want to win the championship. That is positive for the players and positive for supporters. It shows ambition," he added.
"However, you also have big players who are used to being first choice and everyone wants to play. That is normal. For the moment everything is going well. but the problems may come when Chelsea lose a game, when they suffer a defeat."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
