Traore wants to impress with Gunners

Arsenal’s Armand Traore has turned down the chance of a loan-move in the belief his continuing improvement will be better served by staying with the Gunners.

The left-back – who only turned 18 last week but is said by Arsenal captain William Gallas to have “monster potential” – has already scored twice for the reserves this term.

He also produced an eye-catching performance when called up for Carling Cup duty against Newcastle in a 2-0 win last month.

As well, he has been rewarded with the first-team number 30 jersey and although he accepts that a loan move may still be beneficial one day he revealed: “I have spoken with the boss (Arsene Wenger) and he has said the position of official second-choice left-back is there for me.

“It doesn’t mean it will be always there, though. So I must just keep trying hard in training and when I am asked to play, just show that I can do it.”

Traore played regularly in the League Cup competition last season – including the final defeat by Chelsea.

Coca-Cola Championship Charlton are thought to be one of the clubs willing to take Traore – who signed from Wenger’s former team Monaco at the start of last season – on loan and give him first-team experience.

But he added on his club’s official website, www.arsenal.com: “I think I am going to stay at Arsenal and still try to keep improving every day in training.

“I wanted to do that rather than go on loan, but when I speak to the manager (in future) and he tells me that it has to be done, then of course it will be done.”