12 February 2023 , 08:00
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For Giles Grimandi, Arsenal became almost synonymous with success during his five-year stint at the club.
The Frenchman, 52, who originally joined the Gunners back in 1997, won the double in his first season in north London and went on to clock up over a century of appearances under Arsene Wenger. Fittingly, Grimandi also won the domestic double in his final year at the club before he saw out his career in the MLS - and things were very different when he left Highbury in the summer of 2002.
Grimandi had spent six years at Monaco before arriving in the Premier League. And he was left stunned by the boozing and smoking culture which was present at the club.
Arsenal's infamous 'Tuesday Club' was alive and thriving when Grimandi first rocked up at the club. The group, which was led by the likes of skipper Tony Adams and Ray Parlour, enjoyed a good time. But a night out with Parlour left Grimandi struggling.
"I was only starting to speak English but I like good company so wanted to go," he told The Sun. "I went one day and I met many good drinkers. I said to Ray soon after, 'I need to go home or I am going to die!' Ray was laughing.
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"I was very surprised. Another day, a French player was smoking and the English players were shocked. Yet the day before they were totally drunk and it wasn't shocking. We had very different approaches to drinking and smoking."
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Giles Grimandi was stunned at the drinking and smoking culture that was present at Arsenal (Getty Images)Arsenal have won the Premier League title just once since Grimandi left the club but are currently on course to end an agonising 19-year drought under former captain Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard has masterminded an unlikely title bid after missing out on Champions League football last season, with the Gunners currently six points clear of Manchester City with 17 games to go.
Grimandi just missed out on featuring in Arsenal's 'Invincible' side, who won the title without losing a single game in the 2003/04 campaign.
However, the Frenchman believes that Arsenal once again have the mentality to be champions under Arteta - and he's backed them to get the job done ahead of a Manchester City side who are chasing a fifth title in six years.
Grimandi won the domestic double twice during his Arsenal career (Getty Images)Grimandi added: “I am an optimist, because I would love to see Arsenal win the title. But they now have the confidence to beat everyone.
“Even if they lose against Manchester City next week, they are convinced in their head that it can be done. It was not like this before.
“They haven’t made too many mistakes this season and I cannot see what will happen to see them lose the title. They will do it and I really hope they do. They deserve it.”