Armand Traore had to wait patiently for his first-team opportunities with Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs also at Emirates Stadium - but a loan spell at Portsmouth in 2008/09 readied him for the rigours of the Premier League.
Signed from Monaco in 2006, he represented France at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level.
Traore rose through the youth ranks at London Colney, quickly building a reputation as a quick, strong and positive full back.
The Senegal international made his Arsenal debut in a 2-0 League Cup victory over West Brom in October 2006 and went on to start in each of the following rounds, including the final. Arsenal lost 1-0 to Chelsea, but Traore had announced his arrival on the scene.
Ultimately the presence of both Clichy and Gibbs meant first-team opportunities were often restricted for the young left back. A loan spell with Italian giants Juventus followed before his eventual transfer to QPR in August 2011.
Armand Traore
