Arsenal v Tottenham: Theo Walcott shows the passion of the North London derby by boldly squaring up to burly Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen

NORTH London derbies have always been tense and passionate affairs down the years.

With the influx of foreign players into the Premier League in the last twenty years the question has been raised if the local derby has been slightly diluted.

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Questions arise whether players who have not come through the ranks and are not fans of the club they play for get the importance of the game against local rivals separated by a handful of stops on the London Underground.

Well the evidence is there for all to see, the fans are up for it and so are the players.

Even Mr Nice guy Theo Walcott is getting stuck in to Spurs Belgian defender Thomas Verthongen.

Add to that, Walcott is getting backed up by the other Arsenal bruiser Mesut Ozil.

It’s clear that the passion shown by the fans in the stands is replicated by the players on the pitch, regardless of where the players are born.

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