Pires could play tonight

Last updated : 22 October 2002 By Chris Parry
Arsene Wenger believes that the Frenchman is ready for combat once again, but feels that it might be a couple of weeks before he's ready to start a match:

"He needs to play more games before that. He has basic fitness but he lacks match sharpness and practice. He must feel ready, so he needs to be brought through reserve team games or first team games to get him there. We want to ease him back."

"He helps the fluency in our game, and gives us pace when we win the ball. But there will be great competition in the squad."