Armand Traore Biography

Name :
Armand Traore

Born :
October 08, 1989

Birth place :
Paris, France

Height :
1.85m

Weight :
81 kg

Position :
Defender

Squad Number :
30

Previous Club(s) :
Juventus (loan)
Portsmouth (loan)
Monaco

Joined Arsenal :
August 01, 2006

2006/07
Armand was surprisingly chosen by Arsène Wenger to travel with the first-team squad for the Club's pre-season camp in Austria. Despite only being 16 years old he also played in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial in the first game at Emirates Stadium and another friendly against Mattersburg. The left back looked impressive in both games and even laid on a goal for Jeremie Aliadiere against the Burgenland outfit. "He is very positive, very powerful and very quick," said his manager afterwards.

The Frenchman then went on to sign a professional contract with the Club in August before making his first team debut in the Carling Cup against West Brom on October 24, when he came on as a 24th-minute substitute. Armand missed just one League Cup game during the run to the Final, including starts in both legs of the Semi-Final against Tottenham.

"I think it's really important Arsène Wenger has the confidence to play the young players, something at which he is the best in the world. It's one of the reasons I came to Arsenal. Maybe I was not expecting it [a first-team chance] to happen this quickly but I'm confident and although I didn't expect it, I was looking forward to it. To be playing in the first team at 17 makes me really happy."

2007/08
At the beginning of the campaign Armand said he wanted to prove his quality to manager Arsène Wenger. "I still have a lot to learn and I think I can do that at Arsenal. For now I just want to work hard and try to show the boss that I can play in the first team."

He put in numerous impressive performances for the Reserves and even scored a few goals including a spectacular long-range effort against Tottenham.

Armand finally made his Premier League against at Anfield on April 5. Though he started that game at left back he was used as a left winger in the Club's final two Premier League matches against Everton and Sunderland. He made four appearances in the League Cup and two starts in the Champions League.

2008/09
Armand signed a new long-term contract with the Club in August and then three weeks later joined Portsmouth on a year-long loan.

2009/10
At the start of the campaign Armand rejected the chance to go on loan again after a season-long spell with Portsmouth, preferring to bide his time and wait for an opportunity in Arsenal's first team.

His patience paid off and, in November, Armand’s chance came. Injuries to Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs meant the Frenchman was handed his first start of the season away at Sunderland.

A hamstring strain picked up against Liverpool threatened to ruin things for the left-back but he returned two games later and remained in the side in January.

His form reportedly attracted the interest of Paris Saint-Germain and Armand was forced to strenuously deny reports he was set to move to France.

Clichy's return forced Armand out of the side until May's trip to Blackburn but the defender had proved that he was a more-than-capable understudy, helping the Gunners close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

2010/11
Armand joined Italian giants Juventus on loan in August but endured an injury-hit season in Serie A.

After making his debut in a 1-1 draw with Roma in November, the French left back consistently featured in the Europa League and played against Manchester City in Turin.

Armand went on to make seven starts and three substitute appearances during his time at Juventus.