Arsenal: He's Under the Radar, But Armand Traore Could Add a New Dimension

So... the following season came along, Armand didn’t manage to displace Gael Clichy (shocking!), and dare I say it: in the cold light of day he actually showed some major frailties on the defensive side of his game.  

Clichy played virtually every game for the 1^st team, the Carling Cup run was halted by that freak of nature at White Hart Lane, and people forgot about Armand, or at least they summarised his performances, decided he wasn’t ready to play left-back, and put him to the back of their minds.  But one thing that screams at me about this kid every time he plays, is the stuff he’s good at.

He is the fastest sprinter at the club.  Yes, even faster than Clichy, Walcott, Adebayor.  Much faster over 40 yards than the latter two.  He has a rocket of a left foot that is very accurate in the cross and in the shot. 

He is, believe it or not, one of our more skilful players: he combines poise and balance on the ball with an array of tricks that surpass even Theo – proper tricks…stepovers, turns and flicks designed to leave you on your ass. 

He has skinned right backs in virtually every game he has played for us... the trouble is that hasn’t always been his job.  But it is highly likely that that will change.

I have a feeling that Armand is potentially the left-footer we have been dreaming of at the club since Reyes caught the sniffles after that Gary Neville hatchet job.  And crucially – he is Arsenal educated. 

He understands the systems we employ when going forward.  The 1-2-3 pass, pass, release that has Gael Clichy galloping beyond back lines time and time again.  The angles and spaces that all our players seem to look for and run into when looking to receive the ball from a teammate.  It’s already bred into him. 

And crucially, he can defend.  He’s not as disciplined as Clichy and as a result he was often caught out at left-back, but as cover for Clichy when he bombs forward I think he’s a better option than most players Arsenal would consider buying.  

Let me elaborate.  I really feel that of the reasons Bacary Sagna looked so good last year was the fact that he had Eboue ahead of him and Eboue understands what it is to be a right-back. 

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