Arsenal sent Auston Trusty on loan for the 2022–23 season to Championship side Birmingham City in the summer.

The American began his career in his home country, playing for the Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids before making a surprise move to Premier League side Arsenal in January of this year.

He joined the Gunners but was immediately loaned back to Colorado for the remainder of the season.

The defender returned to Arsenal in the summer, but again the defender was sent out on loan by Mikel Arteta, this time to Birmingham in the Championship.

Trusty has had an impressive start to his first taste of English football. He has featured 22 times in all competitions for the Blues and already has three goals to his name, two of which came in the 3-0 win over Bristol City.

However, it isn’t only his scoring attributes that are leaving a mark on the Championship. The defender is also performing remarkably well in Birmingham’s tight-knit defence. According to WhoScored.com, Trusty is averaging an impressive 2.3 tackles per game in the Championship.

The American also averages 1.5 interceptions and an eye-catching 4.2 clearances per game.

Trusty has also been at the heart of a defence that has managed to keep seven clean sheets so far this season, only being bettered by six teams.

Despite his impressive start to his Birmingham loan spell, the American did not make the USA World Cup squad but he has probably made the most positive impression of the Blues' six loan players this season.

His current manager, John Eustace, spoke after the defender scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Bristol City, claiming Trusty can go straight to the top. He said: “He’s a special talent and he is going to be a top player going forward.

“He’s getting better. He’s a young player who has come from the MLS into a very tough league in the Championship and he’s got good players around him.

“He’s in a good environment to develop and that’s what I want. The way he applies himself and his positive attitude is excellent, and it rubs off on everyone.

“We’re very happy to have the player playing for Birmingham City and we’re very lucky to have him playing for us.”

Trusty is on course to have a full season of English football under his belt with a side that is performing well in the Championship but it is still unclear what the future plans are for Trusty with his parent club, Arsenal.

The Gunners currently have players like Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, and William Saliba at the club, and they will be all ahead of Trusty in the pecking order.

The 24-year-old will want to continue playing regular football after this loan spell, so sitting on the Arsenal bench would not be ideal and another loan next season or, despite only recently joining, a permanent switch away is possible.