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Robert Pires says Arsenal's game with Man City is a key clash for both sides

Robert Pires during the Arsenal Foundation Charity match between Arsenal Legends and Milan Glorie at Emirates Stadium
Image: Robert Pires says Arsenal's game with Man City on Sunday could be a key clash for both clubs

Robert Pires feels Arsenal's Sky Live clash with Manchester City on Sunday remains key to both teams, despite the fact it is unlikely to affect the outcome of the Premier League.

Both sides' title ambitions have all but disappeared, leaving them to concentrate on securing Champions League football for another season.

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Pires has called on Arsenal's players to show more fight, claiming they have lacked spirit this season

After a poor run of form that has seen Arsene Wenger's side lose four out of their last five Premier League matches and crash out of Europe 10-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich, Pires is keen for them to show some fight and spirit on the pitch and get a result against City.

"You know it's a special game when you play Man City. At the beginning of the season, Man City and Arsenal want to fight for the title," Pires told Sky Sports News HQ.

"Now it is different, because Chelsea are on the top of the table. Arsenal and Manchester City need to finish in the top four to play Champions League next season.

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"For Arsenal, it is difficult, they are not in a good moment. We lost against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and we lost to West Brom I want to see a good reaction and a good spirit.

"When I see the guys on the pitch, the quality is very good but sometimes we need more commitment, more spirit, more fighting.

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With Arsene Wenger's long-term Arsenal future remaining in the balance, Pires wants his fellow Frenchman to stay at the club beyond the summer

"I don't know what will happen in May but Arsenal, now until the end of the season have two objectives. The first is to play Champions League next season and the second is to win the FA Cup.

"The message from Wenger [must be] to say, 'the season is not finished. We are six points from the Champions League [places] and we have to fight.'"

Pires believes the lack of experienced English players in the squad who can have a positive influence on their teammates is also a problem and also cites the absence of injured playmaker Santi Cazorla as a key factor in their recent poor run of form.

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"We need character, we need leaders," he added.

"We have (Mesut) Ozil, (Alexis) Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny. Koscielny is a very good captain but we maybe need some English players, the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon.

"We miss Santi Cazorla. He was injured in December and from then until now, Arsenal are not really the same."

Pires also reiterated his support for under-fire manager Wenger.

The 43-year-old played under his fellow Frenchman for six seasons, scoring 84 goals in 284 appearances with the Gunners in a spell that saw him win the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times.

Robert Pires, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal training
Image: Pires (left) is backing Wenger, saying he is 'very strong and has a good mentality'

Wenger finds himself under pressure from many frustrated supporters who feel it is time for a change of leadership at the Emirates, but Pires believes they should stick with his former boss.

"I love Arsenal and I love Arsene Wenger and I hope he extends his contract, [although] I know some people, some fans, don't want [that]," he said.

"Arsene Wenger is very strong and has a good mentality. He loves Arsenal and has built things in his long time at the club.

"He will want to finish in the top-four with the club and all the players believe in Arsene Wenger."

Watch Arsenal v Manchester City, part of a Super Sunday double-bill. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 3:30pm, after Swansea v Middlesbrough.

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