THE HENRY- PIRES PEN

The French connection between Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Robert Pires wasn’t always faultless. During one league game against Manchester City at Highbury, Pires attempted to cheekily pass a penalty to his compatriot, in honour of Johan Cruyff having pulled it off decades previously. The spot- kick didn’t go to plan: Pires fluffed his pass, creating confusion for everyone except the referee, who ordered a City free- kick. “I didn’t like it at all,” said opposing skipper Sylvain Distin.