Arsenal hero Ray Parlour: 'Gilles Grimandi couldn't believe how much the English lads could drink'

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour talks to Nat Coombs about his life and career. Parlour recalls his struggle to deal with the loss of camaraderie after retiring, the methods of Arsène Wenger and his famous FA Cup goal. He also discusses his personal problems off the pitch and how football proved a welcome distraction
Subscribe for more ► is.gd/GuardianF...
GUARDIAN FOOTBALL SHOWS:
Talking Points: Serie A ► is.gd/SerieA
Talking Points: La Liga ► is.gd/LaLiga
Talking Points: Bundesliga ►is.gd/Bundesliga
Talking Points: Ligue 1 ► is.gd/Ligue1
Guardian Football Show ► is.gd/FootballShow
Your Shout ► is.gd/YourShout
STAY CONNECTED WITH GUARDIAN FOOTBALL:
Like football? ► GuardianF...
Like sport? ► GuardianS...
Follow us ► / guardian_sport
Official Guardian Football ► www.theguardian...

[@tonyhom2457]

Ray was a great player who held his place in a Premiership champions side full of international stars. He should have played for England far more than he did.

[@MrAldunc]

Always enjoy listening to Parlour talk about his time in football, seems like a down to earth likeable guy

[@Maryonpark]

Ray's a really interesting and funny bloke. Very likeable chap.

[@malcspring448]

Ray. What a top, top guy. Brilliant.

[@Amber90125]

As an Arsenal supporter Ray Parliour was one of my favorites.

[@armineshghi8402]

I FUCKING LOVE RAY PARLOUR!!! THE ROMFORD PELE!!

[@benzrapeepon6257]

Hes a great man. Very polite in person & what a player!

[@tonydavis5628]

Fantastic work rate would run through a brick wall for Arsenal and that FA Cup goal thanks Ray

[@googlereviewer1944]

The Guardian should publicise these video interview more - they're really interesting.

[@tonywhitby8602]

Ray Parlour is at an disadvantaged, him being a white man with a working class accent.

[@Mentatskillz]

One of my favorite Gunners of all time. Amazing work rate and ability. Love ya, Ray.

[@Tigerland1962]

Great guy and an underated player, one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, up there with Ray Wilkins.

[@threedoubles4827]

Legend, what a talent. I love Ray Parlour

[@attk177]

what a great guy to listen to

[@jamesholley]

Lovely guy, very honest and down to earth and a real grafter on the pitch. A real fans player.

[@ryanmadge6089]

Top bloke. Ain't many ray parlours about now.

[@walzawalt550]

The Arsenal team back in the day tho was unstoppable.

[@danieladams4561]

His personality is infectious. Would be a great sales man.

[@rossboy6717]

Brilliant player was Ray very unsung hero at arsenal in his time although he ows a lot to wenger for keeping faith with him when arsene arrived in 96

[@forgive7449]

ooh ! aah! ray. parlour...

[@robchevalley8960]

Total legend so underrated no matter what went on off the pitch 110% as soon as he crossed the wight line. The England squad at the time would have been better if he was given a few more chances and a run in the team but he was one more ARSENAL player to many at the time

[@dannybaker4976]

Top man.

[@planesteve]

Love Ray Parlour remember your GOAL vs Chelsea 01/02 FA Cup final.

[@leetucker5793]

Legend

[@bofhead92]

Legend.!.. upload the rest of the interview plz

[@oomz1975]

Ray is a proper legend.

[@agramsci]

It's only an Arsenal legend :)

[@bertiescunsbutch9323]

Parlour was a skillful player but also he worked hard on pitch and fought for the team, the type of player Arsenal have missed for a while now.

[@frazerduncan356]

Love Ray Parlour, hate the Guardian.

[@SMC01ful]

Parlour was a very good player. Similar to James Milner, all the right skills and he could pretty much play anywhere in an attacking set-up. Unlike Milner, not quite as strong all over the pitch and he couldn't do central midfield for shite, but Ray was definitely a lot faster and a more aggressive in attack. A very exciting player to watch was Ray, and underrated.

[@choicey2748]

The Romford Pele

[@2ars667]

Is it me or is the interviewers light on point, like more perfect than rays. Looks like they spend hours making him look holy

[@paulcarroll6441]

333 games for one of the best teams of all time

[@KeirBo]

Probably has had something to do with why we haven't won a World Cup since '66.

[@xSoccerxCorex]

+Keir Bo like the lads back then didn't drink, lol

[@KeirBo]

CMartin6688 that's because they were good enough to be able to.

[@stoogemund]

Classic banter.

[@CARLIN4737]

Right geezer

[@hnune678]

Who would ave thought that over overmars came up with the nickname Romford pele🤣🤣

[@louiem2]

Yeah, Overmars made the name up... sure Ray

[@papapabs175]

Why do they keep calling footballers, hero’s ? Nothing heroic about kicking a ball.

[@southgooner86]

And my English mates are surprised by how much Australians drink ;)

[@joermundgand]

Meanwhile in Russia...

[@firstcontact8315]

Yeah how much piss water called fosters

[@paulbradyIreland]

What court case?

[@thewaythetruththelife1745]

Paul Brady Think it was his divorce

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

Wife took him to the cleaners.

[@-BuddyGuy]

Was part of the Van Nistelrooy incident - unforgivable.

[@-BuddyGuy]

threedoubles What beautiful irony. You actually misspelled unforgettable... lol

[@jamesdavies25]

Faketrollname sevenbillion loved how the arsenal players ganged up on van nis. He was a dirty player. A pussy as well. Arsenal showed him up

[@pgl0897]

Ruud van Shithimself tra lala lala.

[@soundboyify]

Who gives a fuck about a Mancs forgiveness

[@MattPuxty]

That’s called passion, and being fired up mate. We need more of that kind of passion in the modern game.That’s coming from a Spurs fan, too.

[@jameshatfield8410]

How is Wenger even remotely close to one of the best managers ever seen, 5 good seasons out of 30 in a managers career is far from world class, he got lucky first 3-4 years at Arsenal..., Look at his last 5 years at the club, maybe three out of every ten signings were good enough at best, a stubborn dinosaur who wouldn't or couldn't adapt to the modern game.... Comparing Wenger to Ferguson or Klopp or Pochettino or Pep is frankly insulting and laughable

[@jeffrey5976]

Pochettino has won zero trophies.

[@Skibbitypappappa]

You had me until mentioning Pochetino who has won nothing

[@williamyoung3866]

What a plonker