Vincent Enyeama insists he’s happy to have rejected both Arsenal and Tottenham

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Nigerian legend Vincent Enyeama has been discussing his successful career in football, including a decision not to join North London rivals Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur. 

Enyeama, who made 101-caps for the Super Eagles and became one of the best goalkeepers in French football over a seven-year period with Lille, was talking to ESPN when he revealed the previous Premier League opportunity.

“Arsenal wanted me for second choice, but I was not interested. I also had an offer from Tottenham that wanted me for second choice also and I wasn’t interested.

“It was after 2006 Nations Cup and then again around the 2014 World Cup. When I turned them down, that is when they [Arsenal] took David Ospina.

“For me, I was at the stage where I preferred playing even if it was for one of the smallest teams. That is what the agents that were involved told me. That Arsene (Wenger) wanted me but he is not so sure because of my height and things like that.

“People have their choices and I respect their choices.” 

But the Nigerian admitted he rejected the moves, as both Arsenal and Tottenham saw him as a potential back-up goalkeeper. 

Indeed, back in 2015, Metro reported that both Arsenal and Tottenham had previously been linked with the player, whose excellent form in France was attracting the interest of Liverpool. 

But it seems that Enyeama had no intention of playing back-up to the likes of Jens Lehmann, Petr Cech or Hugo Lloris. 

Enyeama, who left Lille in 2018 and has not played for a club since, was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe during the 2013-14 season and kept 11 straight clean sheets in that season, narrowly missing out on the Ligue 1 record. 

So it is no wonder both Arsenal and Tottenham were keen on the player given his impressive displays for Lille. But it is also no surprise that Enyeama felt he deserved to be playing regular first-team football and decided the moves were not for him.