Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez says part of his pre-match routine is Rocky movies!

He revealed he loves nothing more than preparing to slug it out with opponents with the help of Sylvester Stallone's 'Italian Stallion'.

Alexis told The Sun: “I get motivated watching Rocky films. I used to watch them all the time as a kid, especially Rocky V.

“I remember when I was playing at Cobreloa at my beginnings, I used to watch every Rocky movie about five times in a short period.

“Rocky motivated me because I watched him working so hard.

“He drank eggs as breakfast, do you remember? I tried to do that once but I threw up! But he was so inspirational — I used to run up and down the stairs like him."

The devoted fan was even able to make a pilgrimage to the boxer's home town Philadelphia while on international duty in the summer.

He explained: “During the Copa America I got motivated by seeing the Rocky Balboa statue in the city. I actually visited it."