'Covered in syrup!' - Declan Rice reveals 'game-changer' food which fueled exceptional first Arsenal season

The 25-year-old midfielder, who joined Arsenal for a record-breaking £105 ($131m) million last summer, has established himself as one of the key figures in Mikel Arteta's system as he played a vital role in the Gunner's second-place finish in the Premier League standings. The Spanish manager unlocked his full potential by allowing him the licence to surge forward and he repaid the trust with 16 goal contributions.

Rice believes that his remarkable upturn in form might have something to do with his matchday diet. But few would have guessed that the secret sauce to his on-field brilliance lies in pancakes and honey.

In an interview with Men's Health UK, Rice revealed: "I have four pancakes before a game. Covered in syrup or honey. I swear to God, it’s the best thing… When I joined the club, I could see the [Arsenal] players eating them and thought to myself, ‘What is going on here?’ But honestly, it’s been a game-changer.I don’t understand the science behind it, what’s in them or anything like that, but it gives me such a high-energy boost."

Rice's pancake routine doesn't stop at four. On days when Arsenal have a late kick-off, he sometimes consumes up to eight pancakes. "If we’re playing at 5:30 pm, I’ll sometimes have eight pancakes in a day," he added. "I’ll have some at breakfast and I’ll have some more at 3:30 pm before we play."

Beyond his club success, Rice has also made significant strides on the international stage. He earned his 50th cap for England in March and is set to play a pivotal role for the national team in the upcoming Euro 2024. Playing alongside top talents like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, Rice will be crucial in England's quest to end their 58-year wait for a major tournament victory. The Three Lions will commence their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16, followed by matches against Denmark on June 20 and Slovenia on June 25.