Back in July, Birmingham completed the signing of Auston Trusty from Arsenal on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.
The Pennsylvania-born defender joined the Gunners in a permanent move from Colorado Rapids back in January, but was sent to the Midlands in an attempt to acclimatise him to English football.
At the age of 24, Trusty is not exactly a normal loanee – typically, players are loaned at a much younger age to help them gain experience and develop their skills, before potentially earning a starting role when returning.
Despite no longer being a young prospect, the American has still taken his chance on loan with both hands.
Well, some Arsenal supporters probably don’t expect to see Trusty receive much game time under Mikel Arteta, as the Spaniard already has William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Rob Holding in his centre-back department.
However, the Birmingham No.5 has been tipped to fight for a starting place at the Emirates Stadium by his manager at St Andrew’s – John Eustace.
As quoted by Birmingham Mail, the 42-year-old said: “He is going to be a top player, he is going to go back to Arsenal and hopefully push for that first-team spot. He deserves to be going to the World Cup. His performances for us having been exceptional & they are only going to get better.”
Clearly, Eustace thinks very highly of the Arsenal colossus, who has made a real impact in the Championship.
So far this season, Trusty has made 17 appearances in the Championship, scoring three goals.
In our view, there is space for Trusty at Arsenal – although Edu must offload Holding before he and Arteta can discuss how to use the American.
The man signed from Bolton by Arsene Wenger is now 27 and hardly plays under Arteta, so it is a good time to sell him – additionally, there are many admirers in the Premier League.
He’s not even facing the goal! 🤯
According to Estadio Deportivo, Aston Villa showed an interest over the summer, and with Unai Emery now in charge at Villa Park, a reunion between the pair could be on in January – in our view at least.
Trusty appears to be a much better fit in regards to what Arteta wants to do at Arsenal stylistically, so don’t be surprised if the American ousts Holding in 2023.
