Robert Pires Believes Villarreal Can Overcome Arsenal

Robert Pires has declared that he believes Villarreal can not only beat Arsenal in the next round of the Champions League, but can they go on to reach the final.

The Spanish side will meet Pires' former side in the quarter-finals before going on to play the winners of Manchester United and Porto if they progress.

Speaking to Marca this afternoon, Pires admitted that it will be both special and difficult to play Arsenal, but he is confident his current side can win.

"Obviously it will be a special game,” he mused. “Returning there will make me happy but, as a Villarreal player, I want us to win so we can continue in the competition.

"I believe that we have a team to reach the final and we are on our way to that. To achieve our objective we have to play better and win. We will be trying to do that.

"I know that it will be difficult but, from what I know about both teams, I honestly believe that we can progress."

Pires spent seven years with Arsenal before moving to Villarreal and remembers when the two clubs last met in Europe.

On that occasion a missed penalty by Juan Roman Riquelme cost the Spaniards dearly but the Frenchman says that they are not thinking of revenge.

"That time I won and I remember the match at El Madrigal and the luck we had with the saved penalty, but now I am here I have to forget about my time in London," he explained.

"They have changed a lot and they are looking to the future as they have a lot of young players with quality. I know that they do not think this will be easy."

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com