The apparent reason why veteran Mikael Silvestre was signed did not take too long to realize. It was for the good of one of Arsenal’s cunning youngsters –  Armand Traore who sevred as Clichy’s studying back-up last year.

Arsenal have agreed a season-long loan deal with Portsmouth and that now puts Silvestre right behind Clichy in the pecking order.

Traore has made 18 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Monaco in 2005 and moved up from the reserves to the first team notably in late 2006/07.

Fellow Frenchman Mikael Silvestre’s surprise £750,000 move to Emirates Stadium from Manchester United has given Arsene Wenger the opportunity to send out the highly-rated 18-year-old to Fratton Park for more first-team experience.

Pompey who are short of left backs have turned winger Jerome Thomas’ loan move from Charlton into a permanent one-year deal. That’s to free up more space for extra loan transfers to fit in with the Premier League’s maximum of four per season per club.

Be the first to receive breaking news about Arsenal!