Arsenal have one of the most physically impressive squads in the Premier League.
Indeed, Mikel Arteta has built a team of giants. Kai Havertz has bulked up into a hulking figure in recent times, Gabriel Magalhaes is one of the strongest around, while Viktor Gyokeres is very strong as well.
Speaking on The Smith Brothers’ Podcast, Steven Gerrard has now hailed another Arsenal player for his physique.
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Gerrard was discussing Declan Rice, and he says that he never quite realised just how big the midfielder is until he saw him up close in person.
Steven Gerrard blown away by Declan Rice’s physique
Gerrard spoke about Rice and how big the midfielder actually is in person.
The former England star claimed Rice has ‘a body to die for’, stating that he never realised just how big the Arsenal ace is until he saw him while he was Aston Villa manager in the tunnel before a game.
Gerrard has played against some behemoths in midfield in the past, but even he was blown away by Rice’s physique.
“Declan Rice. I’ve been singing his praises for a long time. I coached Villa against West Ham, before he went to Arsenal,” Gerrard said.
“I didn’t realise how big he was. I’d never met him in person. And then obviously you get in the tunnel, you think, “Oh my god, that’s some profile for a midfielder.” You’re building a midfielder, he’s got a body to die for. You can be 6’1, 6’2 and have the legs and the power.
“That’s the midfielder you want to be. And he was just calm in possession. He was an animal out of possession. He was up and down. And I really like him as a person as well. So, I’ve been singing his praises for a while, but I think he’s really getting into that class now where he’s become a world class midfielder.”
Declan Rice’s physical advantage
Physically, Declan Rice has it all, he’s big, strong, quick and incredibly energetic too.
However, he also has another physical advantage that most people perhaps don’t pick up on.
Indeed, Rice has previously commented on his flexibility being a key asset.
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“When I signed for Arsenal and we did all the medical tests, mobility was one of my biggest strengths. It’s crazy – I’m really, really flexible. Most people in the sport don’t have the same range. I don’t know why I’m built like that, but when I’m tackling, it allows my legs to go into positions that look a bit weird. It feels natural to me,” Rice said.
Rice is a Player of the Year contender this year, and that’s largely down to his incredible physical attributes.
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