By Nick Teale
Armand Traore says that prior to his current run in the first-team he had expected to leave Arsenal on loan this January.
The French defender spent last term with Portsmouth and had the opportunity to make another short-term move at the start of this season.
However after speaking to manager Arsène Wenger the 20-year-old decided to wait for a first-team opportunity with the Gunners.
"I've always spoken about taking my chances at Arsenal," he told Arsenal TV Online.
"Now I've had a little bit of a run in the team and it's gone well and I'm feeling more and more confident every time I play.
"At the start of the season the boss asked me to be patient so when I had the chance to go on loan I decided to wait until the winter transfer window and see what happens.
"Until the time I started playing I was convinced I was going to go on loan in January but then we had a few injuries at left-back so I had to come in.
"When you have to come in you have to prove to everyone that you can play so it was a bit of a tricky situation but it went well."
- his run in the first team
- showing his ability at the top level
- how his loan spell at Portsmouth helped him
- improving his crossing
- the competition at left-back
- the atmosphere among the players
- clawing back ground in the title race
- the postponement of the Bolton game
- the Everton game
- how he prepares for a match
- the Gallas and Vermaelen partnership
- his assessment of the first half of the season
