Pires sings praises of Wenger

Many wondered how Arsenal would react following the summer sale of star striker Thierry Henry to Barcelona, but the team's remarkable form has come as little surprise to Pires - due to the Wenger factor.

"The club has a magic and it is called Wenger. He has a special eye when it comes to young players. He is unique," said Pires, who made 284 appearances in six years at Arsenal before joining Spanish side Villarreal in 2006.

"He will spot them, guide them and finish by getting them playing at the very highest level.

"The fashionable one now is Cesc Fabregas, but do not forget (Robin) Van Persie, (Emmanuel) Eboue, (Kolo) Toure...

"I was fortunate enough to work with Wenger, who is the ideal coach for a player, allowing you to do what you want on the pitch, expressing what you have inside. He gives you all your confidence.

"To play how they want to do at Arsenal, Arsene is unique; simple football, fast, looking for goal all the time. The fans like it. For enjoyment, there is nobody like Wenger."

Pires also had praise for his fellow Frenchman as a person, not just his ability as a coach.

When Pires was sidelined for a lengthy period in 2002 after suffering a serious knee injury, Wenger would call him every day to see how he was getting on.

"At 10 every morning, punctually," Pires recalled in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS. "Including when he was in Japan, at the World Cup of that year."