Robert Pires on a list of the greatest penalty takers needs some explaining, because he also took one of the worst penalties ever seen.
The Arsenal man is here on merit. His career record from the spot was very good, and he scored important penalties for Arsenal during the Invincibles era and afterwards.
Then there was Manchester City, 2005.
What went wrong with the Pires and Henry penalty?
The plan was a routine borrowed from Johan Cruyff's famous penalty assist of 1982. Pires would tap the ball forward, Henry would run in and score. Pires approached the ball, and it did not quite work out. The pass never really happened, the chance was gone, and one of the most embarrassing moments in Premier League history was complete.
The difference from Cruyff's version is simple. Cruyff's worked.
Why he is still on the list
Because one bad afternoon does not undo a good record. Pires is proof that even a reliable penalty taker can have a truly awful moment. His record from the spot was solid, but that failed pass to Henry is the thing most football fans remember, and it lives rent-free in their heads.
Trying to be clever from 12 yards sometimes goes badly wrong. Pires and Henry found that out the hard way.
Tomorrow: number 25.
