Having failed to secure a regular place with Arsenal, defender Armand Traore opted to join Italian side Juventus on a season-loan deal, hoping to gain the required experience to make it into Arsene Wenger’s first eleven.

After rejecting a move to Portugal side Benfica, the Frenchman was full of praise for the “Vecchia Signora”. The 20-year old declared he will be an asset for the defensive department although he also loves to provide support to the offensive department and go for goal when he gets an opportunity.

It is not the first loan spell for the youngster as he also spent a season on loan at Portsmouth during the 2008 campaign but with Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs both ahead of him for a place on the left wing at Arsenal, joining Juventus was a golden opportunity for his career.

Luigi Del Neri’s squad had a nightmare start to the new season after losing away at Bari in the first game of the new Serie A campaign. Fabio Quagliarella, Alberto Aquilani, Milos Krasic and Simone Pepe are other important additions to the Italian squad.

Ahead of his new adventure, Traore said:

Juventus is a big club. I am a very dynamic player who loves to provide support to the offensive department when needed and if possible, I also try to hit the target.

But ultimately I am a defender and I always try to focus on the defensive aspect of my game.

Juventus offered me a golden opportunity which I simply couldn’t refuse.