David Beckham stunned Arsenal squad with ‘perfect’ training drill

Phillipe Senderos was left in awe at David Beckham’s pinpoint passing during an Arsenal training session.

Senderos played with the England and Manchester United legend for AC Milan in 2009 but the duo trained together for the Gunners prior to their moves to Italy.

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After the conclusion of the 2007 MLS Season at LA Galaxy, Beckham spent three weeks at Arsenal in January 2008 to keep fit before returning to the United States for pre-season.

He joined during Senderos’ fifth year in north London, arriving with a reputation for being one of the best passers in world football having performed his magic at Real Madrid and in the Premier League before that.

And he showed he still had it as Senderos recalled when asked to name the best trainer out of four standout former teammates – Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Beckham and Kaka.

“Obviously they were all world-class and top,” the former defender began. “But the best player in training – they all had great quality – but David Beckham for me was unbelievable in training.

“His application, what he would do every single day to prepare himself and be one of the best performers at the weekend, David Beckham.”

Senderos added: “I remember him once coming to Arsenal to do like a pre-season, we were doing long balls with [Gael] Clichy.

“There was a triangle, Clichy, myself and David Beckham, we were practicing long balls, right foot, left foot, 30/40-yard balls for half an hour.

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“He did not miss one ball, every single one would just get right to your foot, one metre from the floor, like really perfect balls. When he missed the first one, we both stopped and said, ‘Okay, that’s it!’”

Following his training stint at Arsenal, Beckham returned to LA Galaxy and then sealed a loan move to Milan, joining in January 2009.

Senderos signed for Italian giants Milan in the summer prior and the duo played nine matches together, with wins coming in five of them.

Beckham completed a return to LA Galaxy before heading back to Milan again at the beginning of 2010 but by this time, Senderos had gone back to Arsenal and joined Everton on loan.

The former played football for three more years and retired at Paris Saint-Germain, with the latter hanging up his boots in 2019 after a spell with Swiss side Chiasso.

Both were very different players but if Senderos ever doubted Beckham’s passing ability, then his experience at Arsenal would certainly have changed his mind.

Henry, meanwhile, showed a competitor’s edge in everything he did, Senderos recalled, which possibly explained why he is regarded as one of the best in the world.

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AFP