Arsenal's real reason for snubbing Harry Kane and the striker they chose instead

Harry Kane was released by Arsenal as a kid and has since become England's record goalscorer, but the real story behind his rejection is quite an interesting one

Images of Harry Kane donning an Arsenal shirt have become notorious. The former Tottenham star, in one childhood photo from his time at the Arsenal academy, even sported red-dyed hair.

Another picture that has done the rounds shows a young Kane in full kit, playing for Arsenal's under-eights, long before he could envisage becoming a £100m superstar and England's record goalscorer.

Now 32, Kane is achieving extraordinary scoring records with Bayern Munich and is set to be the biggest challenge for Arsenal's defence when they clash at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Remarkably, Kane has netted 26 goals for club and country this season, including 15 goals in 21 matches against Arsenal, one of which was scored during their last encounter at the Emirates in the Champions League quarter-final in 2024.

This is a player who, after being rejected as a youngster, has clearly used that experience to fuel his drive to reach the pinnacle of the game.

"Yeah, probably throughout my whole career, really," Kane admitted in September 2024. "Starting from when I was eight years old being released from Arsenal. That might have built a bit of desire to prove to them when I was that age."

We've heard numerous times from Kane about his release, and the statistics clearly demonstrate that he's been on a mission to prove them wrong ever since.

But what really happened behind his departure? The heartbreak that preceded the rise of England's record goalscorer tells a compelling tale. According to those working at Arsenal's renowned Hale End academy during that period, the decision was relatively clear-cut.

Kane was carrying what some might call "puppy fat" at the time and wasn't particularly quick or athletic. In footballing terms, the assessment was blunt: "he couldn't run."

At that stage of development, academies frequently face difficult choices between youngsters competing for the same position. Another player in direct competition also featured in that iconic team photograph. Kane was born on July 28, 1993, the same year as Benik Afobe who arrived on February 12.

The primary reason behind the decision regarding Kane was that Afobe was considered the superior prospect. More athletic, a better goalscorer and physically stronger.

Afobe, who was close friends with Jack Wilshere, even attracted interest from Barcelona before putting pen to paper on his first professional deal, yet ultimately failed to establish himself at Arsenal. Fitness problems were a significant factor.

Perhaps his finest spell came during the 2015/16 campaign when he netted 22 times for Wolves.

It proved a significant judgement call and Arsenal's former academy director Liam Brady, the club's iconic former player, has always acknowledged the "buck stops with him" despite not making the call personally. Kane joined Spurs at the tender age of 11, but it was a close call as he was nearly let go during his teenage years.

He was loaned out to Leyton Orient and endured a difficult spell at Norwich, with additional loans at Millwall and Leicester.

Despite these setbacks, Kane's relentless work ethic never wavered. He continued to train tirelessly, focusing on sprinting, running and endless drills. His unwavering mindset and exceptional mentality ensured he never threw in the towel.

Interestingly, there is still a lingering sentiment that if not for an injury crisis, Kane might not have had his breakthrough at Tottenham.

His first Premier League start came under Tim Sherwood, but it was Mauricio Pochettino who truly believed in him. Pochettino credits Kane's last-minute winner against Aston Villa in November 2014 as the goal that saved his job during a turbulent period.

The rest, as they say, is history. Former Arsenal academy boss Roy Massey, a highly respected figure with an impressive track record, has confessed that telling Kane he wasn't good enough was one of the toughest conversations he's ever had.

That doesn't stop some light-hearted teasing about Kane. It was a monumental mistake, but it also set Kane on the path to stardom. And if goals and class are anything to go by, he may well realise his dream of winning the Ballon D'Or.