Former Tottenham Hotspur right-back, Serge Aurier has described Arsenal football club as an enemy which he could not join due to the respect he has for Spurs.
Serge Aurier was almost stranded after Tottenham Hotspur terminated his contract on mutual consent on August 31, 2021.
Before things got so messy for Serge Aurier, the 28-year-old Ivory Coast defender who joined Spurs from Paris Saint Germain on August 31, 2017, for a transfer fee worth €25 million, made 110 appearances in which he scored 8 goals and provided 17 assists.
Aurier started playing fewer games under coach Jose Mourinho‘s era at Tottenham. When coach Nuno arrived at the club, Aurier continued to play fewer games which triggered his desire to leave Spurs.
When Tottenham was finally released ahead of the 2021-2022 season, the Arsenal football club was the first major club to show interest in him. But the deal did not materialize.
The reason why Aurier could not join Arsenal is suspected to be the rivalry that exists between the club and their north London rival Tottenham Hotspur. Though there have been a couple of players that have switched from Tottenham to Arsenal and vis-a-vis, whenever that happens, it was always seen as a big deal.
Hence, Serge Aurier spent over a month without a club instead of joining Arsenal to complete the 2021-2022 season.
Over a month after he left Tottenham Hotspur, Spanish La Liga side, Villarreal showed interest in his services.
Aurier joined the Spanish side as a free agent on October 4, 2021. The club offered the Cote d’Ivoire international just a season contract which means that his deal with the Spanish side will expire on June 30, 2022.
In an Instagram post Serge Aurier shared after he sealed his move to Villarreal, the right-back thanked Spurs fans and noted that he has never thought of playing elsewhere in England except at Tottenham Hotspur.
He wrote: “First of all, I would like to thank all the Spurs fans for these four wonderful seasons with you.
“They were all different but I leave with some great memories. I really enjoyed playing the game wearing your colors proudly.
“It is true that not everything was perfect, there were moments of joy and sadness but know one thing, I have always played 100 percent, without cheating!
“I have never seen myself at another club in England if not at your place! And I didn’t see myself joining the enemy even less because I have too much respect for our club, for our history, and for all our moments shared together.
“You have shown unfailing support during these four seasons and I really want to thank you because you have given me so much!
“The last few months have not been easy and I would have liked to say goodbye to you on better terms, but each story comes to an end, you have to know how to accept it and move on!”
To his former teammates at Tottenham Aurier added: “I am now speaking to you, my former teammates, my brothers with whom I have lived so much. I really enjoyed playing with you, I know you will miss me especially in our locker room where I liked to set the mood.
“I wish you the best for this season and I promise I will be seeing you again, you will not be forgetting me anytime soon! Good luck @spursofficial.”
