Former Tottenham manager reveals he nearly signed striker who scored 132 Arsenal goals

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Arsenal have had some excellent strikers over the years, but one could have ended up at bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsene Wenger was a genius at spotting and developing young talent, and in the years that followed Thierry Henry’s exit from Arsenal, there was a replacement already at the club.

Robin van Persie struggled with injuries for years, but eventually became the most deadly striker in the Premier League, before a highly controversial move to Manchester United.

Van Persie was one of Wenger’s finest signings, as he joined as a youngster from Feyenoord, but he very nearly ended up at North London rivals Tottenham.

• READ MORE: What is the North London Derby? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal and Tottenham rivalry

David Pleat reveals Tottenham interest in Robin van Persie

Speaking to Sky Sports News, former Tottenham manager David Pleat, who managed Spurs in several different spells, revealed that before he moved to Arsenal, he went to watch Van Persie at Feyenoord.

“I went to watch Van Persie at Feyenoord and decided against it,” Pleat revealed.

“Because he came on and he was dishevelled, his shirt was outside his shorts, socks rolled down, and he was a bit of a problem boy at the time at Feyenoord.

“Arsenal had turned him down, and then later they went back for him, and the rest of his history.”

Van Persie went on to score 132 goals for Arsenal before joining Man United, and Spurs will massively regret this decision given his record against them.

Robin van Persie’s Arsenal record against Spurs

Van Persie played in 15 North London Derbies during his time at Arsenal, and terrorised Spurs on several occasions.

The Dutchman scored five goals and provided six assists in these 15 appearances, which included a stunning equaliser in an iconic 5-2 comeback victory, as well as a brace and an assist in a 3-0 win which saw Cesc Fabregas score an incredible solo goal.

The striker recorded six victories, six draws and just three defeats in these games, and was a truly incredible attacker, but his exit saw him lose any good faith he had with the Arsenal fanbase.