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Robert Pires met with Geoff Shreeves for his first full interview in English ahead of Arsenals trip to Old Trafford on Saturday. The Frenchman talks about Arsenals title chances, the magic of Mesut Ozil and what he used to do when things got feisty against Manchester United... When Robert Pires invites me into his home for a chat Im struck as to how similar resident and property are. Tall, elegant and probably older than they look! But then again that is no surprise with Pires. The man is still training, and holding his own with Arsenals first team at the age of 43! He chuckles when I ask him about it, explaining how Arsene Wenger invites him to train occasionally, and on international weeks like this one its useful to have a body to make up the numbers. Pires carefully explains that he does not coach at Arsenal and has not been asked to by Wenger in any capacity. However, his former boss is very happy for him to pass on his experience to the current young Gunners. Pires in action for Arsenal during his playing days That said, Pires feels this season Arsenal have more experience to mount a genuine title challenge. That is one factor, the other is Mesut Ozil. His eyes light up as he speaks of the German genius. Pires desperately tries to avoid comparisons with former players, but when pushed he cant help himself and admits he does see something of former team-mate Dennis Bergkamp in Ozil. Given Bergkamps god-like status within Arsenal folklore there is no higher praise. Pires says Ozil has always had the ability to read and play the game effortlessly at a superior level, but the key ingredient is that the Germany international has now added goals to his game. Pires wants to see him comfortably enter double figures for goals every season. When pushed further, he says Ozil is potentially the key component to Arsenal winning the title. Pires compared Mesut Ozil to Dennis Bergkamp But what about their mental strength? Pires again points to the levels of experience within the squad, which should bring character and resilience with it. On that note, he says the upcoming game at Old Trafford will be a good test for Arsenals momentum, which they have gathered since losing on the opening day against Liverpool. On the subject of Manchester United, he offers an opinion on two of his fellow countrymen. He believes Paul Pogba is a world-class player and simply needs time to settle into the pace of the Premier League, while Anthony Martials best position is up top. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price When we recall the likes of Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour and Nicky Butt, and the physical battles that occured on the pitch, Pires says its natural to be physical when two giants collide. Where was Pires when things got feisty? Hiding in the dressing room, he says. Paul Scholes of Manchester United clashes with Robert Pires of Arsenal Stay tuned across all Sky Sports platforms to see Geoff Shreeves full interview with Arsenal legend Robert Pires ahead of his former sides trip to Manchester United this weekend.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Arsenals travel trouble The importance of Carrick Evolution of Ronaldo Ozil Arsenals new Bergkamp Bucks Jerseys China . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Custom Milwaukee Bucks Jerseys . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/116t-oscar-robertson-jersey-bucks.html . 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Theyre so talented an offensive team, with multiple weapons -- including league MVP Nneka Ogwumike -- that its difficult to string together just a couple of stops against them, let alone put the clamps on and force the Sparks into a relatively low-scoring game.And it seems rather unlikely that if any team was going to do that, it would be Chicago. If the Sky had outscored the Sparks in their Game 3 do-or-die matchup Sunday, that would have been less surprising. Even without Elena Delle Donne, nobody ever doubts that the Sky can score.But hold the Sparks to 66 points? After Los Angeles had scored 95 and 99 points in the first two games of their semifinal series? Force Tuesdays Game 4 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET) back at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois? Yep, the Sky did that.Chicagos season-saving 70-66 victory came largely thanks to its zone defense. Theoretically, it didnt seem as if it should have worked. The Sky had tried it earlier in the series, and it didnt stop the Sparks.But it was also the most strategically sensible thing to try again. Los Angeles post trio of Ogwumike, Candace Parker and Jantel Lavender had decimated the Sky in the first two games. And the Sparks interior strength was dominating early on in the third game, too.In fact, after the first quarter, when Los Angeles led 23-14, it was hard to picture the Sky taking control of the game. But they were physical and aggressive in the zone, and were able to force Los Angeles to do exactly what they wanted: go away from pounding the ball inside and take a ton of 3-pointers.The Sparks were a hideous 6 of 33 from behind the arc (18.2 percent). Had they come closer to their league-best 37.5 percent 3-point shooting in the regular season, then the Sparks would be home in Los Angeles now preparing to face Minnesota in the WNBA Finals.But kudos to the Sky for putting the Sparks in a position where they took more lower-percentage shots than they wanted to.dddddddddddd The Sparks knew that was a trap they needed to avoid, but they fell into it anyway.Chicago had great leadership from point guard Courtney Vandersloot (17 points, five assists). Tamera Young and Jessica Breland each scored eight points and were strong defensively. The Sky got a big-time performance from rookie center Imani Boyette (13 points, 11 rebounds). And they had good work off the bench from center Clarissa Dos Santos and guard Jamierra Faulkner, who combined for 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.It was a case of a team saying, OK, we know most people expect us to lose, but were just not going down that easily. It wasnt necessarily the style of game you generally expect the Sky to win, yet it was exactly the kind they needed to play at this point in the series.By contrast, this was not at all what the Sparks wanted. Los Angeles Kristi Toliver was 3 of 12 from 3-point range, and Parker was 1 of 6 from behind the arc. Theyd be the first to say they didnt play up to their standards.The Sparks did not take Game 3 for granted. Even after they coasted to victory in Los Angeles on Friday night, the Sparks were aware that Sunday was going to be difficult. They fully expected the Sky to play very hard to stay alive. But the Sparks didnt expect theyd be held to fewer than 70 points.Los Angeles had Chicago pretty much on the ropes, but the Sky still had fight in them. And they will again Tuesday. The Sky should be proud of their resilience this season, no matter how this series ends.But the Sparks know what theyve done to win five of their six meetings with the Sky this season, all those by double digits. Thats what Los Angeles has to focus on Tuesday. ' ' '