The bizarre reason why Robin van Persie was snubbed by Tottenham before joining Arsenal

Robin van Persie was denied a move to Tottenham before joining Arsenal after making a substitute appearance in a match that saw Spurs recruiters walk away.

The Dutchman is a Premier League legend after scoring 132 goals for the Gunners during a clinical career in London before later going on to lead Manchester United to Premier League title glory.

Van Persie was a constant thorn against Spurs throughout his prolific Arsenal stint scoring five times against the club’s arch rivals who rued missing the chance to sign him during the icon’s breakthrough years.

The 41-year-old was snapped up by Arsene Wenger as a youngster at Eredivisie giants Feyenoord – who he later went on to manage – and former Tottenham boss and sporting director David Pleat has outlined how and why Spurs decided against trying to sign Van Persie.

Pleat ended his over 20-year association with Spurs in July as the club shook up their scouting department and revealed how he was once responsible for assessing a young Van Persie.   

Former Spurs boss and sporting director David Pleat (left) revealed he watched Van Persie in Feyenoord before he joined Arsenal

Van Persie 132 goals for the Gunners during a clinical Premier League career in London

‘Then as a director of football, at Tottenham, I went to Feyenoord to see Robin van Persie,’ Pleat told FourFourTwo.

‘He came on as a sub, shirt out of his shorts, socks rolled down, looking a right mess.

‘Steve Rowley at Arsenal had decided not to sign him, but they went for a second look and decided to take a chance,’ he added.

Tottenham’s loss was Arsenal’s gain – albeit limited when he decided to leave the club and join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United as he sought to become a Premier League champion.

Van Persie later turned his back on Arsenal to join Man United where he won the Premier League title

Van Persie proceeded to score 26 top-flight goals during his debut season at Old Trafford to deliver a 13th Premier League title and the last of Ferguson’s glorious reign.

Coincidentally the club haven’t reached English champion status again since 2013 with current boss Erik ten Hag’s position under scrutiny as United chiefs weigh up whether to keep him in charge amid a poor run of form.