Many fans consider Ray Parlour one of the nicest guys in football.
The Romford Pele made 339 Arsenal appearances in 12 years at Highbury, and was considered one of the great 'characters' of Arsene Wenger's side which won three Premier League trophies between 1998 and 2004 - one of the final bastions of conspicuously having a life outside of football. The last of the old-school players.
In 2001/2002, Arsenal did the double; then 29, Parlour scored a glorious curling opener in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium (which followed by an almost identical strike by Freddie Ljungberg), as Arsenal saw off Chelsea 2-0.
Speaking on the continuously resurgent Soccer AM, Parlour - who was known to enjoy a few scoops in his day - recalled how his celebrations after the Cup final got the better of him, and a frank but funny exchange he had with his manager after the Gunners sealed the league title at Old Trafford.
A serious yarn from Parlour, particularly his difficulty in overcoming tables on his way out the door. But hey, as always, Wenger knows best!
