David Dein reveals Arsenal’s close ties with Tottenham, heaps praise on chairman Daniel Levy and admits Spurs have the ‘finest football stadium in the

16/09/2022 16:31

Former Arsenal vice-chairman Davd Dein has admitted Tottenham were his club’s closest allies during his time with the Gunners. Dein was a leading figure at the north London club from 1983 to 2007 and oversaw the appointment of Arsene Wenger in 1996 as well as playing a key role in the formation of the Premier League in 1992. David Dein revealed his surprisingly close relationship with bitter rivals TottenhamGetty Whilst Arsenal and Tottenham have endured a chequered past on the pitch and in the stands, Dein revealed that Spurs were a close ally of the Gunners during his time at the club. “The Arsenal fans won’t appreciate this so much but our closest allies when I was at the board was always Tottenham,” Dein told talkSPORT “Why? Because we shared gate men together, we shared police, we shared caterers and I was always close when it was [former Tottenham chairman] Irving Scholar who helped form the Premier League with me. “He was always by my side and I’m still friendly with him until this very day. Then Alan Sugar and Daniel Levy.” North London’s stadia have gone through an enormous revamp over the last 16 years with Arsenal’s relocation from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium and more recently Tottenham’s switch to their new 63,000 seat stadium. Dein praised the job Daniel Levy has done in overseeing the opening of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and admits it is second-to-none in the global game. Dein spoke of his admiration for Spurs chairman Daniel LevyGetty Images - Getty Dein rates the Tottenham Hotspur stadium as the best football stadium in the worldgetty Most read in Football RESPECT Beckham joins thousands in the queue at 2am to see the Queen lying in state problem Arsenal suffer new injury blow and defender faces race to be fit for Tottenham game Confused 'Why watch club football?' Southgate criticised for picking Maguire and not White Error Nike disappointed England's new kits leaked with unveiling changed for state funeral nice The heartwarming reason for Sancho's celebration as he dedicates goal to young fan viva Bournemouth close to Las Vegas-based consortium takeover - talkSPORT sources The former vice-chairman said: “I’ve got tremendous respect for Daniel by the way. I think, unashamedly, they have got the finest football stadium that I’ve seen anywhere in the world. On the pitch, Arsenal and Spurs have made bright starts to the season with Arsenal sitting top of the table and Spurs in third place, one point adrift of the Gunners. The pair meet in what promises to be a high-octane clash at the Emirates after the international break. Arsenal will be hoping to get one over their north London rivals after Antonio Conte’s side pipped the Gunners to the final Champions League place in May. Tottenham beat Arsenal 3-0 in May to take the final Champions League placeGetty Watch the World Cup with talkSPORT At talkSPORT we are powered by fans, so come and join us for the ultimate World Cup fan experience this winter – at the talkSPORT Fan Zone. In a huge indoor venue under the arches at Waterloo in London, we’ll bring you live screenings of every World Cup game. There will be Q&As with talkSPORT talent, you’ll be part of our live broadcasts, and there will be plenty of food and drink on offer too. Come and enjoy the best World Cup fan experience in London – and enjoy a pint on us – with tickets for England and Wales’ group stage games on sale now HERE!