Arsenal legend Robert Pires has warned Antoine Griezmann against joining Barcelona – claiming his fellow Frenchman will become nothing but another minnow in a sea of world-class players.

Pires, 44, believes his compatriot will face many challenges if he decides on a move to Camp Nou this summer, chief among them fighting to get in the team – something he does not have to worry about at Atletico Madrid where he is the main man.

Pires told Mirror Football Podcast: “If he wants to take a risk, to take a new challenge, he can go to Barcelona. But it is not the same team, not the same level.

“If he wants to be comfortable, he can stay at Atletico Madrid. The balance is very difficult for him. It is very important for Antoine to make a very good decision. It is very difficult. On one side is Atletico Madrid, more comfortable, or Barcelona, more competitive. You have Messi, Suarez, Dembele, so it is not so easy.

“If he will stay at Atletico Madrid, he will be number one. If he goes to Barcelona, he is maybe number three or number four because you have Suarez and Messi. That’s why the next decision for Antoine Griezmann is very important. And of course, it also depends on the World Cup.”