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RM: PARLOUR – GAME: CHELSEA (WEMBLEY 2002)
Ray had a knack for having an impact on big games, mainly cup finals and it was that knack that probably gave me my favourite ever moment in football. I was watching the 2002 cup final with a Chelsea mate who laughed when Tim Lovejoy had his infamous “It’s only Ray Parlour” moment. I don’t know who cheered more when “Only Ray Parlour” smashed the ball into the net, Bradley Walsh or me. I don’t have a video of myself on youtube to compare but I know that after that final I never spoke to the Chelsea lad again.
CM: VIEIRA – GAME: MANCHESTER UNITED (MILLENNIUM STADIUM 2005)
This was the last time we won a trophy. It wasn’t a great game to watch but Patrick Vieira scored the winning penalty with his last ever kick for Arsenal. Ignoring his City connection these days it was a lovely way to part company with the club.
Patrick Vieira on his last apperance for Arsenal
CAM: ARSHAVIN – GAME: BARCELONA (THE EMIRATES 2011)
Andriy Arshavin scores against Barcelona
Okay, so technically he wasn’t playing as a CAM that night but I had to include this game and my LM spot has already been taken. This game gave me, and I am sure many others, the greatest night they have ever experienced at The Emirates. Barcelona were at the peak of their powers and Arsenal were a team in transition with a lot of inexperienced young players. That Dutch guy had put us level with 12 minutes left before Arshavin popped up with the winning goal 5 minutes later. Delirium followed. Arsenal have also continued their trend of beating some of the best teams in the world when no-one expected they would.
LM: PIRES – GAME: JUVENTUS (HIGHBURY 2006)
There are so many things to love about this game amongst it the coming of age of Cesc Fabregas, the slender Spaniard supposed to replace the beast that was Vieira. And replace him he did but what led up to Cesc’s goal is what I will remember this game for until the end of days. Robert Pires, I repeat, Robert Pires dispossessed Patrick Vieira with a sliding tackle, got up, passed to Henry who fed in Fabregas to score. Even if we hadn’t score that goal, the memory of Robert Pires slide tackling Patrick Vieira of all people would have made my night.
