Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal have a player who’s so strong that he can actually play in the NFL
Arsenal have several incredibly strong players.
The Premier League is the most physical competition in world football, and if you are not able to take on tough challenges, you will most likely fail.
Mikel Arteta has made it a point to sign strong players over the past few years, and one player’s strength has impressed everyone this season: Jurrien Timber.
Riccardo Calafiori says Jurrien Timber can play in NFL because ‘he’s a beast’
Timber has been Arsenal’s player of the season so far.
The Netherlands international has been incredible during the 2024/25 campaign. It was a shock to see him playing at this level after missing most of the previous season with an ACL injury.
Today, Timber has reached a whole new level and is comfortably the best right-back in the Premier League.
Ian Wright recently praised Timber’s strength and compared him to a boxer, while Liverpool star Jeremie Frimpong called the Arsenal defender a “rock”.
Now, ahead of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke’s LA Rams clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley, many of the Gunners stars have been asked which of their teammates could play in the NFL.
Cristhian Mosquera chose Timber, as did Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian said: “I’m thinking of JT, Jurrien.
“First of all, I think he really likes this sport. And then he’s strong, you know? He’s a beast.”
When asked the same question, Timber responded, “I’ll probably say Martinelli because he’s so fast. Maybe David (Raya) as a quarterback, you know?”
Which other Arsenal players could play in the NFL?
Timber is not the biggest player in the Arsenal team, but he is clearly one of the strongest.
Strength is one of the main requirements for success in the NFL, while speed is another trait that can be beneficial.
Both of these factors were taken into account when a few Arsenal players named their picks to play in the NFL.
| Arsenal players | Who they chose to play in the NFL |
| Bukayo Saka | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Mikel Merinos | Declan Rice or Noni Madueke |
| Myles Lewis-Skelly | Se |
| Declan Rice | Gabriel Martinelli |
| Ben White | Gabriel Magalhaes |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Viktor Gyokeres | Gabriel Magalhaes |
| Gabriel Martinelli | Declan Rice |
| David Raya | Gabriel Martinelli |
| Ebéréchi Eze | Declan Rice |
| Ethan Nwaneri | Myles Lewis-Skelly |
Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly all got two votes, but the big winner was Declan Rice – three players chose him.
Martinelli said of the Englishman: “Maybe December. He’s the horse (Rice’s nickname). Powerful, strong, and I think he’ll do well in the NFL.
Eberechi Eze added: “Dec! He has so much energy, man!”