Jack Wilshere once claimed that Arsenal players were all left shocked by how ‘massive’ one ex-player was

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Arsene Wenger was often criticised for only signing technical players in the second half of his tenure at Arsenal.

The successful sides under the legendary Frenchman featured big, strong players across the pitch. The likes of Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva and Sol Campbell were never bullied by anyone.

That changed in the Emirates era as Wenger mostly brought in silky players who weren’t as comfortable as the legends of the club were in physical duels. That led to Arsenal being labelled by many as ‘soft’.

In the summer of 2017, however, Wenger signed a player who was so big and so strong that he amazed everyone in the squad.

Jack Wilshere once revealed how Arsenal players reacted after seeing Sead Kolasinac for the first time

Arsenal signed Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke in 2017.

Not many people in England had heard much about the Bosnia and Herzegovina international at the time, but he had made a good name for himself in Germany.

When Kolasinac arrived, the first thing Arsenal fans noticed was the size of him. He was a big lad and the way he went into duels showed just how strong he was.

Even the players were shocked by his size – just ask Jack Wilshere.

In a video on Soccer AM in January 2018, the former Arsenal midfielder was asked to name the ‘hard man’ in the squad.

Wilshere replied: “That’s easy, Sead. You know what? He came in the summer and everyone was like ‘Jesus, he obviously goes in the gym’, but he doesn’t.”

The presenter, Adam Smith, was shocked. He replied: “He doesn’t go in the gym? He’s massive!”

Wilshere said: “He never goes in the gym, it’s all natural.”

When asked how Kolasinac is so big without going to the gym, Wilshere replied: “I don’t know. He doesn’t even eat a lot, I’d say his body fat is under 8 per cent as well, he has no fat on him.

“It must be genetics, he must have a big dad.”

Where is Kolasinac in 2025?

Kolasinac spent six months on loan at his old club Schalke in 2021 and that spell went horribly wrong. The Royal Blues got relegated that campaign.

The Bosnia international returned to the Emirates that summer and stayed at the club for six months. He then left on a free transfer in January 2022 and joined Marseille.

18 months later, the defender moved to Atalanta and became an important player in Italy. Kolasinac even helped Gian Piero Gasperini’s side win the Europa League last year.

Now 31, Kolasinac remains a key player for Atalanta. He mostly plays as a centre-back these days.