BELLERIN: THEVEGAN WITH BITE
Gunners defender insists cutting out meat has made him feel fitter than ever and ready to pack a punch
HECTOR BELLERIN decided to turn vegan a year ago after a chat with former world heavyweight champion David Haye.
And, 12 months on, the Arsenal star is in such good shape because of his new diet that he’s ready to pack a real punch on the season.
Bellerin said: “I realised as I was getting older, I was eating healthier and healthier, and I realised I didn’t really need to eat meat. “I learned a lot about it and asked other athletes, such as David Haye. I spoke to other people involved in the movement and I decided to take the step.
“My goal was to try it for three weeks but the difference I felt in my body was massive, so I decided to stick to it.
“The recovery after games in my muscles and the long-term injuries I have had before started to recover much quicker.
“Why would I change something that is working for me?”
Team-mates Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal would goad Bellerin by putting meat on his plate in the early days, and even the Spaniard’s parents were dubious. He added: “They didn’t really understand it but now, after spending a long time with them this summer, they have actually ditched a bit of meat from their own diets.
“People seem to feel better when they do it so if it makes them feel better, I’m happy.”
Football isn’t known for its openness to new ideas and there were plenty of sceptics when former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tried to introduce yoga sessions. But these days it is commonplace, with Bellerin among those who practise.
He said: “If I feel there is something to help me recover better or make me a better athlete or player then I will always try it.
“I have done yoga for four years now. Players like Per Mertesacker introduced it to the club and there are now six or seven of us who do it each week. It helps us with our flexibility and to keep our mind off things for a little bit. Every generation is more open to new things.
“Yoga has been done for thousands of years and if people keep doing it, it must mean it works.
“It is all about seeing the progress and it has really helped me since I added it to my routine.”
There is one major change everyone at Arsenal has had to accept this summer with Wenger leaving after 22 years and Unai Emery coming in.
Bellerin said: “It has been very different for everyone. Loads of things have changed.
“The training has been way different. We work on different things to how we did with the boss.
“Both coaches have philosophies that are completely different.
“We are getting used to it, working really hard, understanding how they want us to train and play.
“Everyone is doing really well and everyone is really excited. It’s different in many different ways.
“Arsene Wenger was a manager that took a lot of inspiration from players, he gave you a lot of freedom.
“Unai Emery is a bit more tactical. We are going to be more organised on the pitch and they are different philosophies that have worked for them both.”