Post by Taxigirl on Nov 11, 2003 9:43:21 GMT
in Arsenal's engine room.
Of the dozen players used by Arsène Wenger during his first game in charge of Arsenal, only one featured against Tottenham on Saturday - Ray Parlour.
Since that win at Blackburn on October 12, 1996, Wenger has treated Arsenal's fans to a bevy of top-quality signings. It's a tribute to Parlour that he still commands a place in such exalted company.
On Saturday he was at it again. Captaining the side in Patrick Vieira's absence, Parlour drove Arsenal on against Tottenham and his grit and industry helped the Gunners turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.
After the game Wenger paid tribute to the man who has been part of the furniture at Highbury for over 12 years and has defied those who thought his days as a regular were over.
"Ray Parlour is a fighter, that's why he always comes back," said Wenger. "He gives us a balance either on the right or in the centre and has physical qualities that other people don't have.
"He always comes back because he gives you qualities that help you survive in the Premiership."
Martin Keown and Vieira also played in Wenger's first match, but both were injured on Saturday. Fortunately, Arsenal did not lack leadership with Parlour patrolling the midfield.
"In his way he is certainly a leader," agreed Wenger. "He is less outspoken than players like Keown or Tony Adams but when you don't have him in the team you miss him.
"I think the supporters think that too because he brings so much determination to the team."
Parlour's CV makes for impressive reading. Since his debut as a callow 18-year-old at Anfield in January 1991, he has won eight major honours, including two League and Cup doubles.
Now 30, Parlour is approaching 450 games for Arsenal. He may not receive the lavish praise usually reserved for flair players like Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, but he remains a prized asset.
"I consider him to be as much of a star as anyone else," said Wenger."He is a great player and if you look at the number of games played in the last five years you will see he played most of them.
"He had a patch last season when he was injured until December and played less, but this season he had a good preparation and has played nearly all the games.
"I think his passing ability has developed and so has his maturity. He doesn't get excited anymore. He calms things down on the pitch."
Of the dozen players used by Arsène Wenger during his first game in charge of Arsenal, only one featured against Tottenham on Saturday - Ray Parlour.
Since that win at Blackburn on October 12, 1996, Wenger has treated Arsenal's fans to a bevy of top-quality signings. It's a tribute to Parlour that he still commands a place in such exalted company.
On Saturday he was at it again. Captaining the side in Patrick Vieira's absence, Parlour drove Arsenal on against Tottenham and his grit and industry helped the Gunners turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.
After the game Wenger paid tribute to the man who has been part of the furniture at Highbury for over 12 years and has defied those who thought his days as a regular were over.
"Ray Parlour is a fighter, that's why he always comes back," said Wenger. "He gives us a balance either on the right or in the centre and has physical qualities that other people don't have.
"He always comes back because he gives you qualities that help you survive in the Premiership."
Martin Keown and Vieira also played in Wenger's first match, but both were injured on Saturday. Fortunately, Arsenal did not lack leadership with Parlour patrolling the midfield.
"In his way he is certainly a leader," agreed Wenger. "He is less outspoken than players like Keown or Tony Adams but when you don't have him in the team you miss him.
"I think the supporters think that too because he brings so much determination to the team."
Parlour's CV makes for impressive reading. Since his debut as a callow 18-year-old at Anfield in January 1991, he has won eight major honours, including two League and Cup doubles.
Now 30, Parlour is approaching 450 games for Arsenal. He may not receive the lavish praise usually reserved for flair players like Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, but he remains a prized asset.
"I consider him to be as much of a star as anyone else," said Wenger."He is a great player and if you look at the number of games played in the last five years you will see he played most of them.
"He had a patch last season when he was injured until December and played less, but this season he had a good preparation and has played nearly all the games.
"I think his passing ability has developed and so has his maturity. He doesn't get excited anymore. He calms things down on the pitch."
