From „chubby“ boy to world star: Kane’s bitter Arsenal past | OneFootball

When FC Bayern meet Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, it will be a very special match for Harry Kane – not only because he knows the Gunners well from his Tottenham days, but also because a decisive chapter in his soccer career began in the very place where his greatest Champions League appearance with Bayern is about to take place.

What hardly anyone knows is that Harry Kane was in fact rejected from the Arsenal academy at a young age. More than two decades have passed since the current superstar fell through at the Gunners. After Bayern’s 6-2 win over Freiburg, Kane said: „I was at Arsenal when I was 7 or 8 and then I was sent off. It’s part of a story, part of soccer, it was a long time ago.“

From today’s perspective, the reason seems almost absurd. Liam Brady, head of the Arsenal youth team at the time, later explained: „He was a bit chubby, not very athletic.“ A misjudgement that still hurts Arsenal today, as Kane developed into one of the most dangerous strikers in the world after his departure.

Via Ridgeway Rovers and a brief spell at Watford, he made it into the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, where he worked his way up to the Premier League via several loan spells – and became a club legend in the years that followed. 280 goals and 63 assists in 435 games made him the face of the Spurs era.

Bayern transfer hit the jackpot – Kane delivers a historic performance

photo: IMAGO

In the summer of 2023, Kane then ventured abroad. Bayern paid around 100 million euros – a record transfer that was initially viewed critically. Today it is clear that it was one of the best deals in the club’s history. In 114 games, Kane has already scored 109 goals and provided 29 assists – a rate that exceeds even the wildest expectations.

Few attacking players in the world are as consistent, efficient and powerful as the 32-year-old. His influence on Munich’s attacking play is enormous, his quality undeniable.

A special game – because of Tottenham, not because of Arsenal

Nevertheless, Kane’s return to London is not marked by resentment. He draws his motivation not from his early departure from Arsenal, but from his past at Tottenham Hotspur. „The fact that I played for Tottenham for so long gives the game a little extra excitement for me,“ he said. „In my time at Tottenham, the games against Arsenal were of course some of the biggest. Of course, you want to show yourself in a special way again – for the fans too.“

At the same time, Kane is trying to stay focused: „I’m trying not to focus too much on the emotional side of the game, but on what the team and I have to do on the pitch. At the end of the day, it’s just another game, an important game.“

Kane warns against Arsenal – but Bayern arrive with momentum

Munich arrive in London with a broad chest. The 2-1 win over PSG in the Premier League has given them fresh confidence. „We’ve got great momentum,“ emphasised Kane. „We want to go to London and try to win there too.“

But the Englishman knows exactly how difficult this task will be. Arsenal lead the Premier League by six points and surprised everyone on Sunday with an emphatic 4-1 win in the derby against Tottenham. „I’ve been to the Emirates many times and it’s a tough place,“ warned Kane. „Arsenal have a top team, especially this season. We have to have the mindset to play our game there too.“