Armand Traoré

Club Career

Arsenal

Traoré joined Arsenal on 1 August 2006, having previously been at AS Monaco. Although mainly a reserve team member, making six appearances in the FA Premier Reserve League in 2005-06 in English football, Armand Traoré played in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial against Ajax Amsterdam in July 2006 and was an unused member of Arsenal's 18-man squad for their UEFA Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb the following month.

Traoré made Armand Traoré first team debut in the Football League Cup in a Third Round match against West Bromwich Albion F.C. on 24 October 2006, coming on as a 24th minute substitute (soccer) for Emmanuel Adebayor. Armand Traoré went on to start Arsenal's League Cup matches against Everton F.C., Liverpool F.C., both legs of the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Football League Cup Final 2007 against Chelsea F.C., which Arsenal lost 2–1.

Traoré also started Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Burnley FC, 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 2 February 2008, but did not actually make it onto the pitch. Armand Traoré finally got Armand Traoré league debut on 5 April 2008, against Liverpool. Armand Traoré was used as a left-winger in Arsenal's final two league games of the 2007–08 season, supplying the cross which led to Nicklas Bendtner's winner against Everton F.C.. On 4 August 2008, Armand Traoré signed a long term contract with Arsenal.

On 21 August 2008, Traoré signed a season long loan deal with Portsmouth F.C to gain valuable first team experience. Traoré scored Armand Traoré first Premier League goal on 18 May 2009 in a home match to Sunderland, Portsmouth went on to win 3-1.

International career

Armand plays with the France national youth football team. Armand Traoré helped them qualify for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification of the 2008 UEFA Under-19 Football Championship. Armand Traoré participated in all 3 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification matches and one of France's elite matches, before France were eliminated by Italy.

Armand Traoré received Armand Traoré first call-up to the France national under-21 football team on 13 November 2008 for their exhibition game against Denmark national under-21 football team. The match resulted in a 1-0 victory with Traoré playing 73 minutes before being subbed out.

Career Statistics

Honours

Runner-up:
- Football League Cup: 2006-07