Robert Pires has explained choosing Arsenal over offers from Real Madrid and Juventus when leaving Olympique Marseille in 2000.
Pires admits Arsene Wenger was key in his decision making.
"It was difficult - I had three options in Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus," Pires told the Daily Mail. "And normally if Madrid want you, you go to Madrid. It's one of the best clubs in the world.
"But then Wenger called me. If the manager calls you, you know you are very important to him. When I had this contact with Wenger I thought: 'This is the great opportunity'.
"And then I spoke with Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit at Euro 2000 and they all told me: 'No, no. You need to go for Arsenal!'."