Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rules out future move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the club's rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur means he is unable to contemplate one day signing Manchester United target Harry Kane. The England international trained with the Gunners at the age of eight before his release saw him later picked up by the Spurs academy prior to his first-team emergence.

Following a barren start of the season in front of goal, Kane has netted five goals in his last three games in a fine return to form following a record-breaking campaign during the 2014-15 season. The 22-year-old scored 30 goals for his club, becoming the first Tottenham player since Gary Lineker to reach the landmark.

Kane will lead the Tottenham attack when Mauricio Pochettino's side travel to the Emirates Stadium on 8 November and ahead of the game, Wenger has been asked whether Arsenal could ever launch a bid to sign the forward. But the French boss says the local rivalry between the north London clubs makes such a deal impossible.

"He has great qualities and he will make a great career," he told a pre-match press conference, according to The Mirror. "Once a player is at Spurs you don't even consider him anymore."

Pochettino has faced continued questions over Kane's future since his permanent breakthrough into the Tottenham first team, despite only signing a five-and-a-half year contract in February. In October, United were linked with a move for Kane with The Sun suggesting the club would be required to pay a British record – which currently stands at the £59.7m for the United signing of Angel di Maria – to complete a deal.

The reports were dismissed by Pochettino, however one win at Arsenal in all competitions since 1993 is no laughing matter for the Tottenham boss whose side are unbeaten in their last 10 games. After being defeated by United on the opening day, the White Hart Lane club have staged a significant improvement and Wenger is conscious of the threat posed by the visitors.

"They are a side that are strong defensively and can play at a high pace in a committed way," the Arsenal manager added. They've done well. They've lost only one game. They've had a few draws but overall they've looked stable. Of course. It was always a level [playing field]. It was when we had a 37-38,000 seater it was level and after we moved into the new stadium because we had to pay our debts back. But now we are stronger."