Tottenham Hotspur’s latest summer signing Dominic Solanke used to follow Arsenal as a child, according to a 2024 interview with the player.

Dominic Solanke after signing for Tottenham Hotspur (Photo via TottenhamHotspur.com)
Dominic Solanke after signing for Tottenham Hotspur (Photo via TottenhamHotspur.com)

Former Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, joining in a deal worth up to £65m on a deal lasting until 2030.

But before he played for Spurs or Bournemouth, Solanke used to follow his current club’s rivals Arsenal.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth celebrates victory after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth celebrates victory after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport earlier this year, Solanke revealed his previous affiliation with the Gunners.

“[My first football shirt] would have probably been Arsenal,” Solanke admitted. “My dad was an Arsenal fan, so I used to follow them. I went to a few Emirates Cups back in the day.”

As for why Solanke isn’t an Arsenal fan anymore, he admitted it’s difficult to support a team when you’re playing matches against them.

“When you’re young, you love watching football. When you actually grow up and you start playing against teams I think it’s a bit hard to support a team, you know?” Solanke explained.

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Dominic Solanke of Liverpool during the Pre-Season Friendly between Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool at Ewood Park on July 19, 2018 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND: Dominic Solanke of Liverpool during the Pre-Season Friendly between Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool at Ewood Park on July 19, 2018. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

Despite spending all-but-one year of his career in England, playing for Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bournemouth, Solanke doesn’t have a long history of matches against Arsenal.

The striker never made it onto the pitch for Liverpool or Chelsea against the Gunners, so he had to wait for the 2019/20 season to get a game with Bournemouth.

In his five starts since then, Solanke has a 100% losing record, with no goals or assists. He’ll want to change that in a Spurs shirt if he’s going to win over their fans.