Peter Crouch has recalled being given an “absolute lesson” by Arsenal legend Tony Adams.
Crouch, then 19, came up against the Gunners in an FA Cup match in 2001 while playing for QPR.
Arsenal thrashed Rangers 6-0 in a totally one-sided game at Loftus Road – the west London side were relegated to the third tier at the end of that season.
Crouch, now 39, would go on to play for England and the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.
But he got no change out of Adams, who easily dealt with the youngster.
Crouch said: “When I first started at QPR when I was 19, I played against the ‘original’ Arsenal back four – Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and actually Ashley Cole, not Nigel Winterburn. Adams, for me, had everything.
“He was strong, he read the game, he was good in the air. He just gave me an absolute lesson.
“I was 19 and just thought ‘I’m not ready for this level yet’. He gave me a schooling and it was amazing, really. It gave me a kick up the arse and made me want to work harder.
“As I got a little bit older, Sol Campbell and John Terry were probably the toughest I’ve faced.”