Full name Armand Traoré
Date of birth 8 October 1989 (1989-10-08) (age 20)
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 82 kg
Playing position Left back, Left Winger
Club career
Arsenal
Traoré joined Arsenal on 1 August 2006, having previously been at Monaco. Although mainly a reserve team member, making six appearances in the FA Premier Reserve League in 2005–06, he played in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial against Ajax in July 2006 and was an unused member of Arsenal's 18-man squad for their Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb the following month. He is a Muslim.
2006–07 season
Traoré made his first team debut in the Carling Cup in a Third Round match against West Bromwich Albion on 24 October 2006, coming on as a 24th minute substitute for Emmanuel Adebayor. He went on to start Arsenal's League Cup matches against Everton, Liverpool, both legs of the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur and the final against Chelsea, which Arsenal lost 2–1.
2007–08 season
In September, Traoré returned to White Hart Lane, but this time only as a spectator when he was arrested for carrying knuckle dusters into the stadium. He also started Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Burnley, before being replaced by Justin Hoyte in the 71st minute, and was on the bench during Arsenal's 3–1 Premier League victory over Manchester City on 2nd February 2008, but did not actually make it onto the pitch. He finally got his league debut on 5 April 2008, against Liverpool. He was used as a left-winger in Arsenal's final two league matches of the 2007–08 season, supplying the cross which led to Nicklas Bendtner's winner against Everton. On 4 August 2008, he signed a long term contract with Arsenal.
2008–09 season
On 21 August 2008, Traoré signed a season long loan deal with Portsmouth to gain valuable first team experience. Traoré scored his first Premier League goal on 18 May 2009 in a home match to Sunderland. Portsmouth went on to win 3–1.
2009–10 season
Armand Traore returned to Arsenal and was involved in Arsenal's 2–0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Football League Cup, he played 69 minutes before he was replaced by Nacer Barazite. Due to Gaël Clichy and Kieran Gibbs both getting injuries, Traore stepped up to the number one left back spot. He made his first start against Sunderland and followed it up with big appearances including in a 3–0 defeat to Chelsea and a 2–1 win over Liverpool. Traore himself got injured and missed a few games but returned against Aston Villa in a 3–0 win. Traore struggled in the games against Everton and Bolton Wanderers. He was eventually replaced by the returning Clichy.
International career
Armand plays with the French U-19's. He helped them qualify for the Elite Round of the 2008 UEFA Under-19 Football Championship. He participated in all 3 qualifying matches and one of France's elite matches, before France were eliminated by Italy.[5]
He received his first call-up to the U-21 team on 13 November 2008 for their friendly against Denmark. The match resulted in a 1–0 victory with Traoré playing 73 minutes before being subbed out.
Personal Life
Armand Traore says that he is now a better Muslim ever since he started reading the Quran more often. He is regularly seen praying before a match.
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