Arsenal icon Robert Pirès has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 42.

A World Cup and European Championships winner with France, Pirès had a glittering career and was one of the finest players to ever grace Highbury.

Signing for Arsenal at the age of 27, Pirès played the best football of his career in north London as he won the Premier League title twice and the FA Cup on three occasions, scoring the winner in the 2003 FA Cup final against Southampton.

It was just one of 84 goals the Frenchman scored in his six seasons at Arsenal, the best of which saw him claim the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year for 2001/02 when he inspired Arsenal to the league title.

Pirès won 79 international caps and also played for Metz, Marseille, Villarreal and Aston Villa before appearing for FC Goa in the Indian Super League last year.

“I am 42 years old and now must be the time to say stop – my last experience was in India,” the Arsenal hero, who has been working as an ambassador for the club, said to L’Equipe. “Above all it is necessary give way to the young players.”

Hopefully Bobby keeps working closely with Arsenal but, either way, everyone here at Daily Cannon wishes him a pleasant retirement, he deserves it. Thanks for all you did for us, Bobby. Thanks for the trophies, the unbeaten season, and the goals.