Auston Trusty tipped to challenge for Arsenal 1st team next season | OneFootball

Birmingham City’s head coach John Eustace believes Auston Trusty has what it takes to play in the Premier League with Arsenal, saying they are ‘very lucky’ to have him.

Auston Trusty isn’t a name you hear many Arsenal fans mention as the American plies his trade on loan with Birmingham.

Speaking after Trusty helped his side to their second cleansheet in the last three games, Eustace was quick to highlight the defender’s strengths, whilst also pointing out the areas he still needs to improve.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Auston this year to come in and play Championship football week in week out,” Eustace said.

“There are loads of things Auston needs to get better and develop at but he has got so many positives as well. I think we are very lucky to have him at Birmingham City.

“I think he is an excellent centre half and he is going to have a really big future going ahead as long as he keeps developing and has the right attitude.

“I think he is very athletic, he has got everything to play in the Premier League, so yeah why not [play for Arsenal]? We have given him the opportunity to develop and play.

“He has been in the MLS which is a different level to this. This is part of his development to come here and to play the way he is playing is full credit to himself. He will be the first to say he needs to improve on areas. Auston has got a really good chance.”

Eustace also spoke about Trusty’s international ambitions.

Although he has been called up to recent USMNT training camps, he has not been included in their squad for the latest set of games against Japan in Düsseldorf on 23 September and Saudi Arabia in Spain on 27 September.

“He didn’t make but I think he is certainly good enough when you look at the squad they have got there. I think he should certainly be pushing for that World Cup squad.

“I think people from outside of Europe will not understand the difficulties of the Championship, how tough this league is, it’s one of the toughest in the world.

“I think we have to get realistic with that. Auston is doing tremendously well, hopefully we can keep pushing him to the national team manager and highlighting how well he is actually doing.”

The centreback has played every minute of Birmingham City’s season so far.