Rangers handed boost in pursuit of Arsenal star who hasn’t played a single minute under Mikel Arteta
Rangers are stepping up their interest in an Arsenal defender who is yet to make a first-team appearance under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners signed USA international Auston Trusty from Colorado Rapids in January 2022. He spent the second half of last season on loan with the MLS club and has spent the 2022-23 campaign away from Arsenal.
Trusty has impressed this season while on loan with Birmingham in the Championship. As a result of his impressive performances, Rangers have been sniffing around.
Keen to add to their defensive options this summer, Trusty could be the ideal signing. The 24-year-old was recently named as Birmingham’s player of the year after an impressive campaign.
Michael Beale will have been well aware of Trusty while he was managing in the Championship and the move could make sense for both parties.
According to Football Insider, Rangers have been handed a ‘big boost’ in securing his signature. The deal now looks to be feasible from Rangers point of view.
The central defender started in 44 Championship matches for Birmingham and was a rock at the back. He also offers a great goal threat, scoring four goals along the way.
His underlying numbers have been just as impressive this season too. On average, he wins 2.3 tackles per game and wins 3.1 aerial duels.
For context, that is considerably more than the likes of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies have averaged this year for Rangers.
Trusty is a player on the up
Arsenal are now a side competing for the Premier League title and so Trusty is perhaps still a long way away from competing for a first-team spot in North London.
With that being said, he would make a fine addition for a side like Rangers. Along with playing at centre-half, Trusty can also operate as a dependable left-back.
“It couldn’t have gone better,” Trusty told BirminghamLive following his successful loan spell in the Championship.
“Obviously if we had done better in the table and better in the season, that would have put the icing on the cake, but to have this year with Birmingham City, with the team, with the fans and the whole organisation.
“It’s my first year over here in Europe and first time on loan, but I didn’t come here thinking this is just for a season, I came here thinking I want to make my mark on an organisation.
“I came here and I’m thankful that I have been perceived this way by the fans. It’s been really, really awesome.”
Across his career so far the defender has made 215 appearances. He played a total of 48 matches this season, which is the most he has ever managed in a single campaign.
A deal for the defender could be negotiated at around the £2million mark, which could prove to be a bargain. Arsenal and Arteta will soon have to make a final call on the player.
