French midfielder Robert Pires insisted that he was ready to sign a new extension deal with Arsenal if he guaranteed a permanent first-team spot. "The important thing in the negotiations will be the amount of time I am allowed to play. I have always been happy at Arsenal and would like to stay," Pires told The Sun on Wednesday. Pires, whose contract with Arsenal is due to expire this summer, has been linked with a move to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, but he is expected to pen a new long-term deal with the Gunners. The 32-year-old international had always also expressed his will to help the younger generation at the club. "We have a new generation with huge potential. If I can act as a guide it will be with pleasure," Pires insisted. Meanwhile, Pires' agent, Stephane Courbis, played down rumours hinting possible talks with other clubs and insisted that they will decide on the player's future after carefully studying all the options. "It's not true. We are only talking with Arsenal for the moment. Robert has a proposition from Arsenal in his hands and he is thinking about it. For the moment he does not know," Courbis told BBC Sport earlier. On the other hand, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said that he wanted Pires to stay at the club but stressed that they could only offer him a 12-month contract extension, according to the club's policy. "He is at an age where he would like three years. If I was in his place, I would as well. He will get one year. We will stick to our policy for older players," Wenger said. "I have always said I want Robert to stay for at least another year and I hope he will make that decision sooner rather than later. He is always an important player for us," he added.
