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Robert Pires back training with Arsenal, but could the 'Invincible' be set for a dramatic return to the Emirates?

The 39-year-old has been pictured training alongside Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker at Arsenal's London Colney training base

Jack de Menezes
Friday 27 September 2013 17:42 BST
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Mesut Ozil and Robert Pires have a chat during Arsenal training
Mesut Ozil and Robert Pires have a chat during Arsenal training

Robert Pires has been pictured training with the Arsenal squad sparking talk of yet another remarkable comeback.

But could Arsene Wenger be preparing to complete a Gunners return for one of the famous ‘Invincibles’? It’s unlikely, considering he hasn’t played for a club since he was released by Aston Villa in the summer of 2011.

However, with former midfielder Mathieu Flamini returning to the club on a free transfer in the summer transfer window, and a host of other names who previously turned out at the Emirates returning to the club over the years, a return can never be completely ruled out.

Fans will remember fondly when Thierry Henry returned to the club during the Major League Soccer off-season, while others to have made a Gunners comeback include Jens Lehman and Sol Campbell.

David Beckham has also spent time training with the Gunners, although he stopped short of joining the club on a short-term deal having since announced his retirement after a stint with Paris St-Germain.

Pires has been in the news for other reasons this week, with his former boss Arsene Wenger likening the up-and-coming Thomas Eisfeld to the Frenchman.

"He is a Pires type", Wenger said of Eisfeld when speaking to www.arsenal.com.

"He appears to be in the box without being noisy and appearing suddenly. When he is there, he finishes well.

"He has that kind of quality that some midfielders have – not many. They have the timing to get in dangerous situations.

"When they have those dangerous situations, they are like snakes. They bite you to death because they don't miss their first touch.

"He's cool enough in front of goal and he finishes well."

Ozil listens as Pires gives the Arsenal man some advice
Pires and Mertesacker race each other during Arsenal training

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