The striker moved to Spurs, via Watford, after being let go by the Gunners at eight years old (Getty)
The striker moved to Spurs, via Watford, after being let go by the Gunners at eight years old (Getty)

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has revealed that Arsenal’s decision to release him from their academy as a schoolboy remains one of the biggest motivators in his career.

The forward, who struck his 100th Premier League goal at the weekend, famously started his youth career with the Gunners, though eventually found his way to Spurs – the club he supports.

In a revealing letter in The Players’ Tribune, Kane has revealed how being released from Arsenal pushed him to becoming one of the best players in the world, and why scoring against them is extra special.

Kane has scored a host of memorable goals against Arsenal in his career so far (Picture: Getty)
Kane has scored a host of memorable goals against Arsenal in his career so far (Picture: Getty)

He wrote: ‘After Arsenal, I bounced around a bit and went back to play for my local team, and then I was spotted by a scout from Watford who offered me a trial.

‘It’s funny how things work out — as it was after playing for Watford against Tottenham that I got the opportunity to join Tottenham’s youth academy. The white kit fit better on me, I think.

‘I remember the first time we played against Arsenal … and even back then, I had a chip on my shoulder. It might sound ridiculous — I was only eight when they let me go — but every time we played them, I thought, “Alright, we’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong.”’

He continued: ‘For me, the rejection is the best thing that ever happened to me. When I was lacing my up boots for my first start in the North London derby back in 2015, I had a flashback to when I was 11, playing against Arsenal’s youth team. It was like deja vu.

‘Before every match, I always visualize scenarios in my head of exactly how I’ll score in the match. This time, I was picturing the defenders wearing the red Arsenal kit, and I got goosebumps.

Kane struck his 100th Premier League goal on Sunday in a thrilling match at Anfield (Picture: Getty)

‘We were in the tunnel, and I thought, “O.K. Took me 12 years. But we’ll see who was right and who was wrong.”

‘I scored two that day, and the winner in the 86th minute was something that I’d never even dream of visualizing before a match. It was a header — probably the best header I’ve ever scored — and that feeling when it hit the back of the net … I’ve never felt a rush like that in my whole career.

‘I remember walking round the pitch after the final whistle … and clapping to the fans … and it felt like, Well — I told you so.’