Arsenal let Harry Kane go as a kid due to being chubby and lacking athleticism, according to former academy director Liam Brady.

Kane may have come through Tottenham’s academy, but he was originally at Arsenal.

He was only eight when he joined the Hale End academy, but was let go after just one season.

He went on to join Tottenham, and is now going on to break all kinds of records.

Arsenal’s academy director at the time, Liam Brady, has explained why the striker didn’t remain at the club, and it has less to do with his ability then you might think.

“He was a bit chubby, he wasn’t very athletic but we made a mistake,” Brady told Corriere della Sera.

“But Tottenham sent him out on loan to lower-division clubs three or four times as well. 

“But through his determination he has carved out an amazing career and he deserves it. He has a character that drives him to improve all the time. 

“After Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski, there is Harry Kane. The statistics speak for themselves and he’s still only 24.”

With the benefit of hindsight, Arsenal made a misjudgement. Kane evidently became leaner as he got older.

Their loss was Spurs’ gain. Kane has 101 Premier League goals for the club, and he’s only 24.

In Arsenal’s defence, youth development is a tough business.

Nobody could have foreseen Kane becoming the striker he is now. Not even Tottenham, who loaned him out to several lower league clubs before finally giving him a chance.

Kane put in the hard work to make a career happen.

Now if he could stop scoring against us, that’d be very much appreciated.