I played against Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time on Boxing Day 19 years ago. Our Wolves team got battered 3-0, with Thierry Henry scoring a double. But you know what struck me most that day about the Gunners’ world-class stars? The sheer size and stature of these elite boys.
Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell, Dennis Bergkamp and Henry, they were all there. They were all 6ft 3in, 6ft 4in, and I’m standing next to them at 5ft 10in. I remember thinking, ‘Wow’. Physically, they were frightening. Fast forward to 2015 at Hampden Park, Rangers v Celtic in the League Cup semi-final. It was the only time I went up against Virgil van Dijk in my career. And I got the same feeling as I did at Highbury all those years before.
He’s an absolute monster. What a presence he has. And also a confidence in his own ability. He’s bigger, stronger and quicker than just about anyone he comes up against. Van Dijk only had two seasons at Parkhead before going to Southampton then Liverpool. And it’s no surprise to anyone who has seen him close up.
