White Hart Lane was iconic for Arsenal and their talisman Thierry Henry, but not in a way of reverence.
It was the stage where the Gunners confirmed their coronation of their invincible Premier League title in 2024, something that Henry would remember fondly.
The Frenchman had used the Lane as his playground two years earlier when he scored that goal – one that reverberated so much that there is now a statue of his celebration outside the Emirates Stadium.
The former Arsenal captain found himself behind enemy lines recently, but this time at Tottenham’s new home.
The World Cup-winner was in attendance for the boxing clash between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jnr, where he was sat ringside.
With the rivalry between the clubs so heated, Henry adopted that during his time in North London, causing him to dislike Spurs with the same passion as the fans.
Speaking to L’Equipe, he said, “During my eight years there, something came into me. I have learned the culture of this club. I learned to hate Tottenham.”
Henry’s thoughts on Tottenham’s new home
In the spirit of the boxing he was attending, Henry laid a glove on Spurs in an interview with DAZN.
When asked about his thoughts on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he quipped, “Weird. I never came to the new stadium, I used to come to the old one and win a lot, but it's nice.”
Nice is perhaps an understatement, as since Spurs opened their shiny new stadium in 2019, it has been nothing short of impressive.
Following the idea of a multi-purpose stadium, it has been used for NFL fixtures and concerts for major artists, and now, of course, boxing.
Incoming North London Derby
While the latest edition of the rivalry will not be at this venue, Spurs will have to make the trip to the Emirates in the hope of stopping the Gunners from extending their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Henry was quizzed about his thoughts on Arsenal’s title hopes this term and the derby, he mentioned, “As a fan I'm going to have to go with Arsenal. I do think we look solid, a bit less against Sunderland the other day, but it's time for us so hopefully it can happen.”
FGG says
Just when you thought Thierry Henry could not be more loved by the Arsenal fanbase, he goes and says something like that.
He is not wrong, though, as the Gunners often came out on top against Spurs, especially during the era of the Invincibles.
Even recent history has gone the way of the red half, with Arsenal unbeaten in their last six derbies against Spurs, winning five of them.
Only time will tell if they can continue that tradition and deliver more bragging rights to Henry and company.