Arsene Wenger: 'Robert Pires not rejoining Arsenal'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Robert Pires will not be rejoining the club, despite recently training with the first team.

The 39-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a successful six-year spell with the Gunners before leaving for Villarreal in 2006.

When asked if Pires would be offered a contract, Wenger told reporters: "No, Robert Pires will not join us, he was born in 1973.

"He is still very fit and a great player and we are always happy to have him in training but he just occasionally comes in to practice.

"He practises with the young players with the Under-21 team, and I feel always there is no better education than playing players at that age with top-level players."

Arsenal return to action on Tuesday when they welcome Serie A side Napoli to the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League.