The former Arsenal striker returns to north London with the League One side on Wednesday.
If Gillingham’s Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scores against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, it will not be the first time.
Seven-and-a-half-years ago, Emmanuel-Thomas was on target for Spurs’ fierce rivals Arsenal in an FA Youth Cup quarter-final win at White Hart Lane.
And ahead of his return to north London, the on-loan Queens Park Rangers striker told the Sun newspaper (Wednesday edition, page 54) he is keen to show he’s still got it, despite dropping down to League One.
“Scoring at White hart Lane was great at the time because it was a big game at that moment,” said Emmanuel-Thomas.
“It’s all about proving yourself no matter what team you’re playing against. It will be a great game for everyone and I’ll be able to show what I’m about.”
Having already seen off Spurs, Emmanuel-Thomas went on to score in both the semi-finals and final as Arsenal lifted the 2008-09 trophy at Liverpool’s expense.
Following permanent spells at Ipswich Town, Bristol City and QPR, the 25-year-old was acquired by former White Hart Lane defender Justin Edinburgh at Priestfield in the summer.
But Edinburgh is not Gillingham’s only ex-Spurs presence, with former midfielder Jamie O’Hara and 2003 loanee Paul Konchesky both on the playing staff.
The Kent side are currently 13th in League One, having finished 12th and ninth under the FA- and League-Cup winner in the last two campaigns.
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