Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry takes a swipe at Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur witnessed an unusual moment when Arsenal legend Thierry Henry made a rare visit to their new home, stepping into an arena that had long existed on the opposite side of his loyalties.
The former France international attended the Conor Benn–Chris Eubank Jnr fight, taking up a seat close to the ring and experiencing Spurs’ stadium from the inside for the first time. Henry spent eight highly influential years in England from 1999 to 2007, leaving a major mark on Arsenal and finishing as their all-time leading scorer with 226 goals. Even his brief loan return years later added another memorable chapter to an already illustrious career, and his presence naturally stirred curiosity.
Derby days, in particular, always stayed close to him, as he often delivered decisive moments that frustrated Tottenham supporters. He used to stride into White Hart Lane with confidence, scoring freely and carrying the kind of self-belief that routinely silenced the home crowd.
However, this time, the setting differed completely. He stood inside a state-of-the-art ground that opened in 2019, a ground he had never played inside and only knew through reputation. DAZN asked him how it felt to be in what he openly called enemy territory, and he replied that the experience felt strange, though he joked about enjoying many wins at the old ground.
“Weird. I never came to the new stadium I used to come to the old one and win a lot, but it’s nice.”
That brief remark showed how familiar he felt with his old surroundings while also recognising the difference this time, returning as a spectator rather than a rival, and doing so while watching a fierce boxing contest instead of a football match.
However, Henry has somewhat exaggerated his impact at White Hart Lane. He played there four times, winning only once. He also recorded just one goal and one assist at the venue, which calls into question his claims of having “won a lot” there.
Tottenham have been poor at home but brilliant away from home, and that should be a real cause for concern for Arsenal in the next game
Spurs have reached this point in the season with a curious split in their form, and that imbalance now shapes the mood ahead of their next major test. Their struggles at home remain clear, with only one win from six league matches, as visiting sides frequently exploit the gaps that appear when Spurs push high and try to suffocate opponents.
Even Danny Murphy has highlighted what he believes to be a major flaw in Tottenham’s home performances this season, while John Wenham has urged the players to show more intensity and fight to win back the support of the home fans.
However, their away record tells a very different story. Spurs collect points with confidence on the road and often look more settled when they play with patience, sit slightly deeper, and strike at the right moments. This contrast poses a genuine problem for Arsenal in the next game at the Emirates, where the Gunners typically dominate matches and leave wide spaces behind their advanced lines.
Spurs thrive under those conditions, and their sharp counter-attacks, quick movement, and precise finishing could unsettle a defence that is usually firm. Even though Arsenal hold a strong record in these derbies, Tottenham’s confidence away from home gives them a real chance to disrupt that pattern.