RAY PARLOUR knows all about failing in Europe, having played at Arsenal and suffered the humiliation of early exits when expected to fly the flag for the Premiership all the way to the Champions League final.

That is why the midfielder, travelling with Middlesbrough to Greece this morning ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Cup group stage opener with Egaleo, is well positioned to deliver his assessment on why the Gunners continually fall short in achieving something on the continental stage.

While examining the reasons why Arsene Wenger's men cannot repeat their week in and week out Premiership heroics in Europe, Parlour can also warn his new employers how to adapt to life away from domestic duties.

The 31-year-old will be in the Middlesbrough starting line-up against Egaleo tomorrow as Steve McClaren hopes to see his team gain the perfect start to the second phase of the UEFA Cup.

Parlour helped Arsenal to the final of the competition in May 2000. But again the North Londoners let the trophy slip when they lost to Turkish side Galatasaray on penalties in Copenhagen.

With a tinge of hoping to lay that particular ghost to rest, the former England man has his sights set on helping Middlesbrough take the first steps to qualification by overcoming Egaleo.

"To lose to Galatasaray was very disappointing on the night," said Parlour.

"It's a great competition and has some excellent teams in it. I'm excited about this season with Middlesbrough, we are the underdogs but there's a carrot to do well and the most important thing would be to get through the group stage. After that there's no looking back and who knows what we can do?

"It's difficult to say why Arsenal struggled in the first couple of seasons. Playing in Europe is totally different and this year is a big test for Arsenal.

"Most European teams see the UEFA Cup as needing to win their home games and the Greeks will think the same way.

"They make it as hard as possible for the opposition. We have to set our stall out and if they get shots on target the crowd is boosted and the players are boosted. We have to be a professional outfit and don't let goals in.

"It's a new experience when you play away from England. The travelling, the hotels, the climate and it will be warm in Greece. You have to overcome these situations."

During his years with Arsenal, Parlour made the trip to Greece to play Panathinaikos on a big European night and expects Boro to sample a similar atmosphere.

Egaleo have to play their home UEFA Cup games at Second Division club Apollon's 14,000 capacity Rizoupoli Stadium - as their 3,500 capacity Ergotelis Stadium home is too small.

But Parlour, admitting he knows nothing about Egaleo, said: "Panathinaikos was a hard place to go and I'm sure this will be the same. Egaleo drew 0-0 at the weekend against Panathinaikos and they can't be mugs to get through to this stage.

"I've had frustrating nights in Greece with Arsenal before. We hope this game will give us a good platform for the group.

"When we played at Panathinaikos there were fireworks and they get behind their team. We struggled out there and lost. Panathinaikos was one of the noisiest places I have ever played at and there were only 20,000 there."

Boro must book their place in the third round by finishing third in a group also featuring Villarreal, Lazio and Partizan Belgrade.

"It's a tough group and we have to make sure the tempo is right. Away we have to be solid and hopefully pick up points," said Parlour. "Getting a club like Lazio is the biggest game in the club's history and that's what we are aiming for.

"For Middlesbrough it's a great buzz and you get a buzz out of other people getting a buzz. The UEFA Cup is not far behind the Champions League and it will be interesting to see how far we can progress."