The only line you need to read in that story is "I have not talked to him...". I love Pires as much as any gooner, but he is talking out of his arse there.

What exactly is he talking out of his arse? Alexis liked london and came to win titles, saw how it all unfolded and left because he now knows the club aren’t serious contenders.

I mean, yeah - I bet he'd play for Aston Villa if they were challenging for the league and paying several millions. I think Pires' point is more a general comment that Arsenal need to become more competitive but I don't think it invalidates what Keown's said, particularly since even City felt his wage demands were extortionate.

Ray wrote:

What exactly is he talking out of his arse? Alexis liked london and came to win titles, saw how it all unfolded and left because he now knows the club aren’t serious contenders.

Well he's sating that Keown is wrong and implying that he knows that Sanchez wanted to stay, despite acknowledging that he hasn't spoken to him (rather he sees and smells that he was happy at Arsenal). In other words, he's talking out of his arse.

His point was Sanchez would be staying if we were spending money and being more competitive in the title race. That’s common sense really, not outlandish.

Except he didn't say that, The Mirror did.

"Pires has now claimed that Sanchez wanted to stay in north London and for the Gunners to spend more money on new players."

Nowhere in that article is there a quote from Pires about Sanchez wanting Arsenal to spend more money on new players.

it doesn't need saying. If we were spending money and getting players and were aggressive and ambitious, obviously sanchez and anyone else would be happy to stay here.

I’m going to be sick.

Don't know if anyone follows his instagram, but he also posted a video of him boarding his private jet yesterday (presumably to Manchester). Not the most tactful thing to do, unless he's already pandering to his new United followers.

I’ve got the keenest eye in town for spotting when players are about to decline

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

He’s gonna flop. Will be great viewing

Not for at least one and a half seasons. He is the special marquee attacker they've been looking for and we've handed him to them on a fucking plate. 

Thank god he is finally gone.

He has to basically win them the league or Champs League to justify the outlay. Neither will happen

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

I’ve got the keenest eye in town for spotting when players are about to decline

You could see it after he came back from injury halfway through last season. He lost a yard and it hasn't come back.

Been saying the same myself for a while now, he’s struggling to beat players in the same way. He’s always been predictable but it never stopped him in the past. Could be temporary though, the fact that he has his first summer off for a long time is annoying.