Traore - I May Have To Leave Arsenal

Arsenal youngster Armand Traore has admitted he may be forced to look elsewhere in search of regular first-team football when he returns to north London from his loan spell with Portsmouth.

The 19-year old is currently on a season-long loan at Fratton Park, and while the Frenchman’s performances have caught the eye, the form of Arsenal’s regular left-back Gael Clichy has been consistently impressive.

Traore has stated how content he is with life on the south coast, but Pompey’s precarious financial position would hinder would hinder any possible deal, a prospect that could mean the highly-rated prospect has to look beyond both clubs.

"Arsene Wenger only agreed to me going on loan provided I played regularly,” he said.

"This is exactly what I need at this stage of my career, lots of first-team experience, and I am enjoying it at Portsmouth where everybody has been very kind to me and the manager encourages me to push forward.

"But I don't know what will happen at the end of the season. I will have to talk to Arsene Wenger about that.

"Obviously I want to play every game now but Gael Clichy is a great player in my position there at the moment."

Traore made a name for himself when appearing for The Gunners in their march to the Carling Cup final, a game they lost to Chelsea, in 2005, with the youngster appearing in every round.

He made his Premier League debut against Liverpool towards the end of last season, and thus potential suitors are not expected to be sparse, though they will have to stump up around £3 million for the highly rated youngser.

If he wants regular football, he has to move. Gael clichy is too young & the first choice leftback. If he stays it would be great to have a competition for that leftback position.