Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he was disappointed with the timing of Robert Pires' admission he's in talks with Champions League semifinal opponents Villarreal.
The French World Cup winner, 32, is out of contract in the summer, and as such is free to discus his options with other clubs, with Villarreal a confirmed interested party as the midfielder seeks a two-year deal.
Wenger said: "The timing is not the best.
"I am not concerned by the fact that they did it, because I do not think there was anything malicious. I feel they made the offer because they believe really they want him."
The Arsenal boss added: "I feel that if you want perfectly right in the real world, you would like the player to respect his contract until the last day of the season without being allowed to talk to anyone.
"But of course Pires respects the rule and I can completely take the fact that that he has talked to anybody.
"At the end of the day, it is in his interest to win the game he plays and to go there having beaten Villarreal because then he will be stronger and more respected, so I am not too much worried about that."
The French World Cup winner, 32, is out of contract in the summer, and as such is free to discus his options with other clubs, with Villarreal a confirmed interested party as the midfielder seeks a two-year deal.
Wenger said: "The timing is not the best.
"I am not concerned by the fact that they did it, because I do not think there was anything malicious. I feel they made the offer because they believe really they want him."
The Arsenal boss added: "I feel that if you want perfectly right in the real world, you would like the player to respect his contract until the last day of the season without being allowed to talk to anyone.
"But of course Pires respects the rule and I can completely take the fact that that he has talked to anybody.
"At the end of the day, it is in his interest to win the game he plays and to go there having beaten Villarreal because then he will be stronger and more respected, so I am not too much worried about that."
