Stuart Pearce has encouraged the Premier League to take high-profile games overseas after suggesting the North London derby could be the perfect fit for a match abroad.

In similar fashion to the NFL bringing games to London, the Premier League has long been viewed as an asset that could be moved to different countries, with America seen as a potential location.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Pearce admitted he was against adding an extra match into the top-flight’s congested fixture calendar but insisted he would back a move to play some matches abroad to raise the profile of English football.

The North London Derby could be the first game to be played abroad suggested Stuart Pearce

‘I’m against a 39th game but I’m in favour of a 38th game,’ he said.

‘I wouldn’t want the extra game but within the calendar if you want to take one to a neutral ground somewhere..  

‘You take a fixture out the calendar – Spurs v Arsenal – whichever one it may be, and go and play it in the [United] States.

‘All our teams go to America, Australia and the far east in pre-season to spread the word of the Premier League and endorse the financial incomes of the football club.

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The rivalry was viewed by Pearce as the perfect fit for the first game to be played abroad

Mikel Arteta (right) and Antonio Conte (left) will meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

‘Unless we try these things we don’t know whether they’ll work or not. There’s a Qatar World cup mid-season and everyone thinks it won’t work. 

‘Well what evidence are you basing your statements on, none at all?

The move to take Premier League teams around the globe was first mooted by former FA Chief Richard Scudamore in 2008 when he suggested adding in an extra round of fixtures that would be played in different countries.

Pearce made the suggestion when speaking on talkSPORT on the eve of the derby match

Countries would bid to host games with the top bidders getting the rights to host the matches. The idea was later rejected by the FA.

Arsenal welcome their North London rivals to the Emirates for the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon as Premier League football returns following the international break.