Ex-Arsenal man Armand Traore took knuckle-dusters to derby

  • Former Arsenal full-back Armand Traore once took knuckle-dusters to derby tie
  • The defender thought he needed ‘protection’ in case a Tottenham fan saw him
  • Traore spent 10 hours in custody as police found the weapons in the stadium 
  • The current Nottingham Forest man admitted he was naive and made a mistake  

Former Arsenal full-back Armand Traore has revealed how he spent 10 hours in a police cell after taking knuckle-dusters to his first North London derby.

The Frenchman had only just signed for the Gunners and wanted to watch his new side play against Spurs but was prevented from doing so after police found his weapons as he entered the stadium.

The full-back has since admitted he slightly over-estimated the hostility between the two sides and apologised for his mistake.

Former Arsenal full-back Armand Traore took knuckle-dusters his first North London derby 

He said, as reported by the Mirror: ‘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.’ 

Traore pointed towards his previous experience as a PSG fan watching his side against Marseille, where fans would often ‘batter each other’, as the reason for his protection. 

He added: ‘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.’

Traore spent 10 hours in custody as police before Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger found out 

Traore spent 10 hours in custody as police before Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger found out 

Traore played just 13 times for Arsenal and spent loan spells at Juventus and Portsmouth during his time in North London.

The defender, who currently plays for Nottingham Forest, admitted he made a mistake and was naive to think he ever needed such tools. 

Such aggression seems a long way from the current Arsenal squad who were accused of not having the ‘cojones’ to beat Watford at the weekend.  

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