Harry Kane Reveals How Arsenal Rejection Drives Him On

Harry Kane might be one of Spurs own but they’ve got Arsenal to thank for having one of the best strikers in the world. Commemorating his 100th Premier League goal the England striker revealed how Arsenal’s rejection spurs him on.
It’s crazy to think that this is only Harry Kane’s fourth full season as a Spurs first teamer. The 24 year old’s rise into being one of the world’s best has been rapid, impressive and he certainly isn’t a one season wonder.

After a few loan spells in League One, the Championship and even the Premier League with Norwich for a short time the Spurs academy product has scored 100 goals in the top tier and could challenge Alan Shearer’s record of 260 goals.

But things nearly turned out so differently as he started life in the Arsenal academy but was released aged eight. Writing for the Players Tribune he revealed how that rejection really inspires him against the Gunners:
“I remember the first time we played against Arsenal [after being dropped by them] … 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.’
“Looking back on it now, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, because it gave me a drive that wasn’t there before.

“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 déjà vu. Before every match, I always visualise scenarios in my head of exactly how I’ll score in the match. Left-foot curler into the bottom corner. Right-foot volley from the right corner of the box. I’ve always been that way. I get really detailed about it – I’ll picture my opponents and the cut of the grass and everything.

“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 visualising 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.”
SportBible.com