LONDON - Robert Pires has insisted he wants a new Arsenal contract and dismissed suggestions he would be leaving Highbury at the end of the season.
The France winger was among those players said in a weekend report to be at risk of being sold this summer in a bid to fund the purchases of, among others, Manchester City's rising England star Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Pires now 31, arrived in north London from Marseille in 2000 and has been a key component of the 'French Revolution' under manager Arsene Wenger which has seen him and compatriots Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, as well as a clutch of other French players, help bring trophies to Highbury.
However Pires may have to accept a short-term deal, given that he is now 31, and Arsenal's club policy is to offer at most two years - and possibly a one-year rolling deal - to any player in his 30s.
But he said: "I would like to stay here. It doesn't depend entirely on me though, it is up to Arsene Wenger and (vice-chairman) David Dein.
"We'll sit down soon and sort something out, I'm sure."
Arsenal have an FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn on April 16 to look forward to and, with London rivals Chelsea a massive 13 points clear at the top of the table, the Cup looks like the reigning champions best chance of silverware this season.
But Pires said Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final ties against Bayern Munich (the first leg is at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday) could distract them.
"It's true that we aren't having the same success on the field as we did last season but it isn't over yet.
"Chelsea still have to play some more matches in Europe and that may affect them. In the league, as long as there are matches, there are points to be won so anything is still possible.
"If we were in the same position as Chelsea, then we wouldn't think the title had already been won. We would fight to the end.
"Fair enough, we were eliminated from the Champions League but there are other trophies we can win this season. We can still be a success, you know."
Meanwhile injured England centre-back Sol Campbell hopes to have overcome his ankle problem in time for the Blackburn match.
"It has been very frustrating and I have had a lot of time to think," Campbell told the London Evening Standard after making his comeback for the reserves after being out since February 1.
"You wonder if you are going to get back before the end of the season. But it's great to be out there playing again. That's the main thing.
"I have never been 100 percent all season and injuries knock your confidence. I have seen just how important the pre-season training is because I have been playing catch-up. It has taught me a lesson."
Campbell added he was determined to regain his England place he would be prepared to go on the controversial post-season tour to the United States, especially with John Terry potentially missing if Chelsea are in the Champions League final.
"I would be happy to be on the tour if I am picked," Campbell said. "In fact, two more games would be no problem and then I can have a five or six-week break before the next pre-season."
04/05/2005 18:25 GMT