Thierry Henry couldn’t resist Spurs dig before Europa Conference League tie

The Arsenal legend was part of the broadcasting team as Tottenham kicked off their Europa Conference League campaign with a visit to Ligue 1 side Rennes on Thursday

It may be approaching a decade since Thierry Henry last pulled on the red of Arsenal, but he still remains a Gunner through and through.

Henry is the club’s record scorer with 228 goals in all competitions and had his fair share of joy against the old enemy Tottenham.

In 11 games against Spurs, the Frenchman boasts an unbeaten record, winning seven times and scoring five times in the process.

Now working as part of Amazon Prime’s coverage of the Europa Conference League, Henry was given an opportunity to talk about his long-term foes.

Ahead of their clash with Rennes, the World Cup winner was asked whether Rennes would be worried about losing to Spurs – only to reply: “Sorry who? I don’t know them”.

His reaction elicited some laughs from the studio guests, but fans were quick to point out that while Tottenham were competing in European competition, his former side were sitting watching from home.

The Gunners missed out on European football for the first time since 1996 last season, with manager Mikel Arteta admitting it hurt to see the games go on across the continent.

“It hurts a lot,” he explained on Thursday. “In the last few days it was hurting to put the TV on and see those teams there and not see Arsenal there. It was painful.”

Asked if they will use that for motivation this term, he added: “100 per cent yeah. I don’t want to be sitting there with Arsenal out of those competitions. We have the focus and the trigger is there.”

Meanwhile, Spurs took an early lead on Thursday night, before Rennes went 2-1 up in the second period. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg netted a late equaliser but, on the whole, it was a frustrating night for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Henry has previously spoken of his disdain for Tottenham, claiming that he learned to hate them during his eight-year spell at the Gunners.

“During my eight years there (at Arsenal), something came into me. I have learned the culture of this club… I learned to hate Tottenham,” he told the French Daily in 2015.