Robert Pires and Gilberto Silva Recall the Fierce Intensity of the Arsenal vs Manchester United Rivalry.

Two Arsenal legends Robert Pires and Gilberto Silva have shared their excitement ahead of the exhibition fixture against former Manchester United stars at Champions Impact In Jakarta: The Rivalry Returns, hosted at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) on Saturday 10 October, 19:00 WIB.

Indonesian football fans have greeted the visiting former Premier League stars with overwhelming warmth. 52-year old Pires thanked supporters for the reception, stating he was delighted to return and experience the atmosphere of Jakarta once again.

"First of all, thank you so much for the kind welcome I received upon arrival at the airport last night. It is wonderful to see people greet us this well," Pires stated during the pre-match press conference at SUGBK on Friday.

This is Pires' second visit to Jakarta, following his first trip in 2013. Amid the joy of reconnecting with local fans, the former Arsenal winger also made light observation on the capital's busy character.

"Jakarta has very dense traffic, there are so many motorcycles on the roads here," he remarked.

Pires Recalls The Fierce Historic Rivalry Of Arsenal vs Manchester United

Pires' enthusiasm for the upcoming match is deeply tied to the decades-long competitive rivalry between the two English clubs.

At the peak of both teams' dominance, every meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United was one of the most anticipated fixtures across the entire league, whether hosted at Highbury or Old Trafford.

Pires spent 6 seasons with Arsenal between 2000 and 2006. During this period he was a core part of Arsène Wenger's side that fought for domestic honours, forming one of the most celebrated eras in the North London club's history.

The Jakarta fixture has brought back vivid memories of his intense on-pitch battles against United, most notably his famous running duels with former right back Gary Neville.

"Everybody knows the huge rivalry that existed between us back then. Those matches were incredible, brutally intense no matter which stadium we played at. I faced off against many United players, but most of all against Gary Neville," Pires explained.

That said, the match at SUGBK will carry none of the title pressure of their professional playing days. This time the legends have reunited only to enjoy Football, and deliver a special nostalgic experience for supporters.

"But tomorrow will be different. We are just here to enjoy playing. I hope everyone watching will enjoy this match just as much as we will. I am so happy to be back in this city," he added.

Gilberto Silva Cherishes Reunion With Former Teammates

The same warm sentiment was shared by Gilberto Silva. The 50-year old former Brazilian midfielder was Pires' teammate during Arsenal's historic unbeaten 2003/2004 Premier League title run.

That squad became known as The Invincibles, an achievement that cemented their status as one of the most iconic teams in the entire history of English football.

For Gilberto, this Jakarta match is an opportunity to reunite with old colleagues, and once again line up against the rivals that were once Arsenal's greatest barrier to silverware.

"Hello everyone. I hope you are all well, and that you are looking forward to tomorrow. We certainly are. This will be such a lovely moment, to be back together with old teammates and face our great historic rivals once more," Gilberto stated.

He confirmed this fixture will be nothing like the high-stakes competitive matches of their professional careers. The priority is no longer victory at all costs, but enjoying camaraderie and Putting on an enjoyable show for the crowd.

"But things are different now. We all know this will be for fun. We are all just catching up and getting ready. I hope every single one of you has a great time tomorrow too," he added.

SUGBK Hosts Nostalgic Showdown For Two Legendary Rivals

Champions Impact In Jakarta: The Rivalry Returns will pit the North London Legends squad of Arsenal greats against the United Legends side of former Manchester United players. The fixture revives the iconic rivalry that defined English football throughout the 2000s.

For Indonesian spectators, the appearance of Pires and Gilberto offers a rare chance to witness two players who were foundational to Arsenal's greatest era. The pair occupied very different roles on the pitch, but both were irreplaceable to the club's success.

Meanwhile, the clash against Manchester United Legends gives this match its unique character. This is no high tension title decider: it is an exhibition celebration of football, centred around shared memories, camaraderie and entertainment.