"Ray Parlour of Arsenal celebrates after scoring in the FA Cup final (Image credit: Getty Images) Ray Parlour is an Arsenal legend, winning three titles at Highbury. Still the Gunners' record appearance-holder in the Premier League, the Romford Pele has taken on cult status in his retirement as one of the great characters of Premier League football of his time. So FourFourTwo asked the former Arsenal midfielder for the four games that he believes changed his life"
"My pro debut. At that stage, you're used to playing reserve games in front of 150 people, then you're suddenly given your big chance. I made my debut at Anfield such an iconic ground. You don't get much more daunting than one of the best stadiums in the world. A few days before, George Graham told me I'd get my chance and, honestly, I just tried not to think about it too much, because I wouldn't have slept with all the nerves and excitement. I remember my dad came to watch he sat in the directors' box and said he was so proud to see his boy running out at Anfield. That one means a lot to me."
"2. Arsenal 4-0 Everton (Premier League, 1998) Arsene Wenger's first Double and a brilliant season for me. The Everton game, when we clinched the title, sticks out. We battered them and Tony Adams scored with a lovely half-volley. I put in one of my best performances that day, running my socks off, even though I didn't score. I won Arsenal's player of the season that year that's no easy feat up against Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka. But I played my part in an iconic season. I was one of the Invincibles too, but felt at my best during the Double campaign. As soon as a game finished, I just couldn't wait for us to play the next one."
Ray Parlour is an Arsenal legend who won three titles at Highbury and remains the club's Premier League appearance record-holder. He earned the nickname Romford Pele and developed cult status in retirement. Parlour identifies four matches that changed his life, beginning with his pro debut at Anfield, a highly intimidating and emotional experience that featured his father watching from the directors' box. He highlights Arsenal's 4-0 win over Everton in 1998 as the game that clinched Arsène Wenger's first Double and recalls delivering one of his best performances that season while winning the club's player of the year award.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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