The Arsenal player who took a knuckle-duster to his first North London derby

In an interview with English publication 'The Mirror', former Arsenal defender Armand Traore has revealed how he slighty over-estimated the hostility of the game shortly after signing for the club.

The Nottingham Forest defender revealed that his decision to arm himself was partly motivated by being recognised and partly down to his experiences of the rivalry between PSG and Marseille in his homeland.

'Coming from France, I used to go to PSG versus Marseille – and the fans there would batter each other," he explained.

'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.'

Things didn't exactly go to plan for the 28-year-old though, whatever the plan was, with the Frenchman ending up spending 10 hours in a cell and missing the entire game.

'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,' he recalled.

'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.'

Traore made just 13 league appearances during a five-year spell with Arsenal before Arsene Wenger allowed him to leave for QPR, here's hoping he left his knuckle-duster behind.