Despite Birmingham City’s desire to keep him, Auston Trusty has suggested his long-term goal is to become a starter for Arsenal.

Speaking to Goal, Auston Trusty admitted that his long-term goal is to play for Arsenal, even though his loan at Birmingham City is going well.

“To get there and play every single game,” Trusty said of his ambition with Arsenal.

“That’s the mindset I have. I want to go there, show what I can do, and make my mark in the Premier League and on the team.

“It’s all a stepping stone, but that’s the main goal. The sky’s the limit really.”

The release of these new quotes follows comments from Birmingham boss John Eustace earlier this week.

Eustace said that though they have to respect the fact Trusty is ultimately an Arsenal player, he’s hoping the club can push to bring the 24-year-old back in the summer.

“I would love him at the football club going forward,” Eustace said.

“I think everyone connected to Birmingham City would love him to be part of the football club but we also respect he is an Arsenal player, a very good player but it’s something we can hopefully push at the end of the season.”

With plenty of the campaign still to go, Trusty has already made 34 appearances for Birmingham, playing over 3,000 minutes in all competitions. It’s little wonder Eustace wants him to stay.

But this isn’t the first time Trusty has suggested his long-term plan is in London, having said something similar in November.

“I’m in contact with them all the time and my mindset is to get to Arsenal and play for Arsenal,” Trusty said then. “It’s probably the best club in the world right now and I’m excited for it.

“It’s the perfect spot right now and I’m doing my thing, at an incredible organisation in Birmingham. But, obviously, the goal is to play in the Premier League, play at a top team. That’s where it’s at.”

The Gunners will also likely want to bring in a good fee for a player who has impressed in the Championship – if they want to sell at all. It’s undoubtedly going to be difficult for Birmingham to secure a permanent transfer.