On-loan Arsenal defender Auston Trusty has been praised by Birmingham City manager John Eustace, who expressed his desire to retain his services for the next season, however, Trusty has admitted that his long-term goal is to play for Arsenal and make his mark in the Premier League.
Trusty’s comments about making it at Arsenal came before those made by Birmingham boss John Eustace, who said he would love to keep Trusty at the club, but they understand that he is ultimately an Arsenal player.
Eustace praised Trusty’s professionalism and attitude, and his desire to play for Arsenal could make him an attractive prospect for the Gunners. Trusty’s ambition could also prompt other clubs to consider him for a transfer.
Returning to training just a few days after picking up a calf injury, Eustace said, “That really did show his commitment as a loan player, one hundred per cent.
“What a fantastic pro, a fantastic player, he has been a great servant for us this season.
“As I said last week on the Friday he turned up and said ‘I am ready to play’. A fantastic attitude and his performance was brilliant as well. We are very fortunate to have good professionals here at the football club and Auston is certainly one of the them.
“He is very robust, he is an athlete, very fit, a top professional, he has come over from the States and he is just living football. He has got no distractions. He goes home, watches football, comes back, plays football, eats the right stuff. He is a true professional and I think him coming back in the team last week – what a difference it made.
“I would love to keep him. I am sure there is a chance, definitely – but it’s out of my control. All I can say is I would love to keep him at the football club and I think all the fans would love to see him stay at the football club as well. When we want to build those are the kind of characters we want here so he would be top of my list.”
With plenty of the campaign still to go, Trusty has already made 39 appearances for Birmingham, playing over 3,500 minutes in all competitions.
Speaking back in February, however, Trusty was clear where he sees his future.
Asked what his ambition with Arsenal was, Trusty said, “To get there and play every single game.
“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.”
Those comments followed Eustace again saying how much he would like to sign Trusty permanently.
“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.”
But it also wasn’t the first time Trusty has been clear he wants to make it at Arsenal.
Speaking in November, he said, “I’m in contact with them all the time and my mindset is to get to Arsenal and play for Arsenal.
“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.”
Who is Auston Trusty?
Auston Trusty is an American professional soccer player who is currently on loan from Arsenal with Birmingham City. He was born on August 12, 1998, in Media, Pennsylvania, and began his youth career with Philadelphia Union.
He signed a homegrown player contract with Philadelphia Union in 2016 and made his professional debut on March 5, 2017, in a game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Trusty signed for Stan Kroenke’s Colorado Rapids in November 2019 before landing a €1.8m move to Arsenal in January 2022, before being loaned back to the Rapids for the rest of the season.
Trusty was a mainstay in the Rapids backline during his second season in Colorado, playing 33 matches during the regular season and all 90 minutes of the club’s Western Conference Semifinal in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
He was named the Rapids’ Defender of the Year and also scored one goal and added three assists in 2021.
Trusty was called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s January training camp in Arizona following the 2021 campaign.
He originally joined the Rapids in November 2019 via trade from Philadelphia Union, where he spent four seasons after signing a Homegrown Player contract in 2016.
Trusty made his MLS debut in 2018 and became the youngest player in league history to play every minute across a full 34-game season that year at just 20 years old.