The players are too polite. Football is a war but stars are coming on to the pitch with a flower instead of a gun

EMMANUEL PETIT EXCLUSIVE ON WHY HE THINKS THE NORTH LONDON DERBY IS LOSING ITS EDGE

EMMANUEL PETIT has claimed the North London derby is in danger of losing its edge as one of English football’s great rivalries.

Petit remembers going to war with Tottenham during some unforgettable battles during his three years at Arsenal, when victory was the only thing that mattered.

But despite being one of the best foreign imports, former midfield star Petit believes some of the passion has gone from the fixture largely because of the influx of foreign players.

The Arsenal legend said: “It’s not the same now. The players are too polite. For me, football is the war without guns. I believe that more players are coming on the pitch with a flower instead of a gun. I want to see tears and blood on the pitch.

“There were so many great battles. I remember Tim Sherwood – we had some good battles. He was the last one to kick you on the pitch. I know he’s an Arsenal fan – just like Harry Kane! The atmosphere was fantastic, you couldn’t hear yourself think.

“It’s not just this game but the whole Premier

League. It’s the impact of the foreign manager and the foreign player. You get less English players coming through. They bring qualities technically and tactically, but the league has lost some of its passion.

“Football has changed so much,

I still believe there’s a big passion for the game, but it’s not the same as back in the day. It’s not their fault now because it’s the world they live in. There’s too many games and sometimes I have the feeling that it’s just another game.”

Petit played at a time when Arsenal were dominant under Arsene Wenger but he did endure one memorable defeat at White Hart Lane, and the visitors finished with nine men after Martin Keown and Freddie Ljungberg were sent off. Petit (getting stuck into Chris Armstrong, left) admits Tottenham are on the way back under Mauricio Pochettino. But he warned the Spurs boss they must start winning trophies or he’ll lose his best players. “Tottenham used to be so frustrated 20 years ago because Arsenal were far ahead, but now Pochettino has done such a great job,” said Petit, now 48. “But they have to be careful because they are moving to a new stadium and could end up like Arsenal having to sell their best player every year.

“Tottenham have to win something soon. For the last two or three years, the gap has reduced and they have been ahead of Arsenal, but Arsenal are coming back very well.

“But if they don’t win something this season, it would be difficult for Pochettino to motivate his players year after year, if you don’t bring in new faces and you’re not winning trophies. They have to be very careful.”

Petit was torn last summer when Wenger left Arsenal as it was time for change, but he could see his old manager was heartbroken after losing his grip on power.

However, the former France star believes Unai Emery is now well on the way to bringing back the good times at Arsenal and hailed the