'I ended up in big trouble after joining Ray Parlour for a boozy Arsenal night out'

Gilles Grimandi once ended up on the booze with Arsenal cult hero Ray Parlour - and he quickly regretted the decision after finding himself in "big trouble"

Gilles Grimandi wasn't quite ready for English drinking culture when he joined Arsenal's infamous Tuesday Club for a night out.

Grimandi admitted he was left in 'big trouble' when he boozed with Ray Parlour after he joined the club in 1997.

The French defender - who was barely speaking English at the time - thought it would be a good chance to get acquainted with some of his new teammates in north London to join them for their weekly pint session.

Tuesday Club came about following the midweek training session when matches tended to be played solely on Saturdays.

It was seen as the perfect time for boozy bonding because it allowed three days of recovery before the weekend's action. And Grimandi wanted to get involved.

Grimandi exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "I know the English guys used to go out every Tuesday; that was something that happened long before I had arrived.

"I knew they'd go to the pub for a few drinks after training - but it created a real team spirit within the group, to be honest with you.

"One day, I said to Ray Parlour [who celebrated his birthday in the week] that I wanted to go out with the guys, just to share the experience of that Tuesday club.

"My English wasn't great at all at the time, but I understood quickly that I was going to be in big trouble if I stayed out with those guys.

"I managed to tell him I needed to stop and go home! They used to drink too quickly for me, and I couldn't keep up with them.

"Ray would always laugh about it, and every time after that occasion, he would ask me if I wanted to go out for a drink with them, and I just politely said no."

Parlour is a cult hero at Arsenal but his impact on the team may have been greater than just what was seen on the pitch.

"I've got a special affection for Ray," Grimandi added. "He played a major role in the success of the club during the period in which he was there. He was such a positive personality in the dressing room, he was always joking with players and making sure everyone felt involved.

"His positive attitude really was special... and let's not forget how outstanding he was on the pitch. "