10 Premier League stars that grew up supporting rival English clubs

#5 Gareth Bale: Arsenal

Gareth Bale was an Arsenal fan growing up

Before Gareth Bale became the most expensive player in the world in 2013, he was tearing it up in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. A two-time PFA Player of the Year award winner, the Welsh left-back-turned-winger-turned-forward had a stellar 2012/13 season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions (21 in the Premier League).

But then came the admission that he wasn't a Tottenham fan. Growing up, he had eyes only for their north London rivals - Arsenal.

He was smitten with the team of players that went an entire campaign unbeaten (the Invincibles). Of course, back then he was just a young player at Southampton's youth academy (where he was roommates with Theo Walcott).

"I used to like Arsenal a lot. But when I moved to Tottenham, of course, I liked them less.

"But I really admired Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, those kind of players. They were incredible."

Bale's heroics at White Hart Lane eventually earned him an £86m move to Real Madrid where he has since won three Champions League titles.