Traore - My real dream is to play for Arsenal



On Wednesday, Armand Traore was linked in the media with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. The following day he asked to speak to Arsenal.com to set the record straight. Here's what he had to say.

Armand, what is your reaction to the stories that emerged yesterday?
"I just want to say I am fully committed to Arsenal, my heart is with Arsenal and the manager. I want to stay here. I want to work hard so I can eventually play for the first-team.
"My dream is to play for Arsenal week-in, week-out and to be the first choice left back. If I work hard and improve my defensive duties then I think it is a strong possibility. But I am nowhere near leaving."

So what do you make of these stories? Are you annoyed?
"Yes I am annoyed, because I spoke with good intention but it hasn't come out that way. I said I would maybe like to play there eventually because I grew up supporting PSG, but nowhere near the summer. There is no summer talk. I am 100 per cent, 100 per cent committed to Arsenal. It will be like this until my contract finishes or until I am not wanted here anymore. That is how it is.
"I come from Paris. It is true that I have supported PSG and I like the club, my ambition is to play for Arsenal and that is it. I am only concentrated on Arsenal. I do not want the Arsenal fans to think that my heart is not with this Club. I am fully committed with Arsenal and the manager."

Do you feel you are getting closer to a first-team spot?
"Yes I feel I am. But I don't want to get closer, I want to get into the first-team. But it is going to be hard because Gael is coming back and coming back well. He is a good left back. However, I believe in myself and I believe that if I work hard I will improve defensively. I know exactly what I need to work on so that makes it easier."

You've been here for a few years. You've worked hard to get to the position you are in, so you don't want to give it up because you have made progress.
"Of course, I believe that I have made progress. I came back from Portsmouth and have played a few games, and I will keep working as hard as I can."

You have played eight Premier League games this season. If you play two more matches, even off the bench, you'd get a medal if we won the title. How big is that ambition?
"It is massive. Obviously all the games are very important. I don't think you want to change the team much at the moment but I would love to come on even for two seconds a couple of times just to get the medal! That would be a huge thing. I am only 20 and if we go all the way it would be amazing."

The boss famously did it for Martin Keown in 2002 you know?
"Hopefully he'll do the same. We'll have to wait a bit first to see how the League is going to go but if that is the case I would like to come off the bench a couple of times. The team is playing really well at the moment so let's hope we can do it."

Quelle: arsenal.com