Tottenham fans might FUME as Gareth Bale reveals Arsenal secret

Posted Saturday, March 23, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham fans might FUME as Gareth Bale reveals Arsenal secret
Tottenham fans may wince when watching what Gareth Bale said about Arsenal (Image: BT Sport/Getty)

GARETH BALE holds Tottenham very close to his heart, but grew up loving to watch their north London rivals.

Bale spent six years at Tottenham, where scored 55 goals in 203 appearances and picked up two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards.

An incredible 21-goal league season in 2012/13 earned the Welshman a world-record move to Real Madrid, but his relationship with the club has remained strong since.

Spurs fans will not be pleased at comments Bale recently made in an interview with BT Sport, however, where he revealed a childhood reverence for Arsenal.

The Gunners were one of England’s most dominant sides in the late '90s and early Noughties, and Bale recounted that time.

“I used to watch Arsenal a lot,” he admitted.

“I used to really enjoy watching [Thierry] Henry, obviously. And I used to like watching Dennis Bergkamp as well.

“They had a great team. Tottenham fans wouldn’t be happy that I’m holding this [old Arsenal shirt]!”

It was the Lilywhites who Bale joined in 2007, though, garnering a bad reputation as he didn’t win in his first 24 games for the club.

Tottenham fans might FUME as Gareth Bale reveals Arsenal secret
Tottenham hero Gareth Bale spoke about his adoration for Arsenal as a kid (Image: BT Sport)

“When they came in for me I realised Tottenham was a big club,” he said.

“But I didn’t realise how big it actually was until I went to the stadium and training ground and they talk to you and show you the history.

“When you’re younger you don’t necessarily look so much into the history - it’s what going on now. It’s such a big club and I had an amazing time.”

The four-time Champions League winner was flattered by overtures from Los Blancos in the summer of 2013 and really wanted the move without having to disrespect Tottenham.

“It had been a long road that transfer window to get there,” Bale reminisced.

“I appreciated everything Tottenham had done for me, but I think they did understand at the time that when such a big club like Real Madrid comes calling, it is difficult to turn them down.

“I was enjoying my time at Tottenham and loved the club, and still do, to have Real Madrid come for you - you’d regret saying no.”