One ex-Arsenal star resorted to dangerous means when attending the north London derby
Traore has admitted his "stupid" decision ahead of the north London derby
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Ex-Arsenal defender Armand Traore once took a knuckle-duster to the north London derby in fear of being attacked. Traore, 36, signed for the Gunners in 2005 before making his senior debut a year later.
Despite arriving in England from his native France as a teenager, the former footballer had experienced ferocious atmospheres before. He grew up as a Paris Saint-Germain fan and was a consistent attendee of their rival clashes against Marseille where he said the opposing supporters would "batter each other".
These experiences saw Traore resort to dangerous methods when going to the north London derby as an Arsenal player. Worried he may be recognised by a Spurs fan, Traore took the weapon to the match which resulted in police intervening.
Back in 2017, he said: "Coming from France, I used to go to PSG versus Marseille – and the fans there would batter each other. I was only 17 and I had just started playing for Arsenal’s first-team. I had these images in my mind.
"I went to the north London derby but I was convinced someone might recognise me. I thought if a Spurs fan did, then I needed to be ready if something happened. So I had a knuckle-duster in my pocket — which was just stupid.
"As I walked into the stadium, the police found it on me and I ended up in custody for more than 10 hours. I didn’t see a ball kicked. Eventually they released me. Then Arsene Wenger found out about it. I was just stupid.
"Young and naive. Can you imagine if something actually had happened? It would have been life-changing. I was young and I have learned my lesson. It was a stupid mistake."
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Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon and Arsenal's Armand Traore battling during the Carling Cup semi-final
The ex-Arsenal star ended up in police custody
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Despite being contracted to Arsenal for five years, Traore only made 32 appearances for the club before he was sold to Queens Park Rangers. During his spell in north London, he went on two loans to Portsmouth and Juventus and it was during his stint with the Italian giants that Traore found himself amidst intense club rivalry.
Discussing a close call he experienced in Italy, he said: "There are some incredible rivalries in Italy. The one with Napoli was the worst. We arrived there the day before and there were about 300 Napoli fans outside the hotel.
Arsene Wenger the Arsenal Manager before the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Liverpool on August 11, 2002 in Cardiff, Wales
Arsene Wenger signed Armand Traore a year after his Invincibles season
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"When we left to go to the stadium, they were following us on mopeds and crashing into parked cars. It was madness. I did not feel under threat exactly, no. But it did make you think, ‘This is proper passion.’"
Traore may tune into the first north London derby of the season on Sunday when Arsenal host Tottenham. Currently on a 14-match unbeaten streak, Mikel Arteta's side will look to inflict a third defeat in five games for their rivals.
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