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Yaya Sanogo: A Work in Progress?

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17:  Yaya Sanogo of Arsenal in action during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England.  (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A free transfer a little over a year ago had many Arsenal fans scratching their heads in what was meant to be a summer of deliverance from Arsene Wenger.

It was the first day of the Summer Transfer Window, Media outlets approaching late evening status became aware of a young French striker who had just signed for The Gunners from Auxerre. Was this really as good as it was going to get for Arsenal fans full of optimism? Was a free transfer really the best that the club could hope for?

Whilst Tottenham were busy playing supermarket sweep with the proceeds of Gareth Bale’s transfer funds, Arsenal fans were becoming increasingly frustrated with Arsene Wenger apparent lack of desire to ‘splash out’ on a big name signing. Some even started to turn on the French striker in a rather pointless effort to try and vent frustration at the Arsenal board.

Come deadline day and suddenly it was no longer about the Under 20 World Cup winner. People rapidly forgot he was the first signing in a major summer for Arsenal. 12 months on and the striker has had his injury issues, but has an FA Cup to his name and a Charity Shield victory to boot.

Many Arsenal fans have been crying out for a top striker to rival Olivier Giroud, who apparently still doesn’t fit with most peoples ideal of a French striker in Arsenal colours.

Aside from all the cries and uproar that surrounding Yaya Sanogo’s arrival, many fans away from Arsenal see him as the major impact that changed the way the 2014 FA Cup Final was going. Several weeks on from that event, he netted 4 against Benfica in the Emirates Cup against a heavily weakened Benfica, stripped of many big names in the transfer window already. But was Sanogo lucky against Benfica or was this a sign of things to come?

In the grander scheme of things, Sanogo actually has a pretty impressive goals per game ratio as a youngster, averaging a goal every game at international youth level. He has the potential to become a World Class striker and with his potential yet to be fully unlocked, we can hold a level of cautious optimism which seems to be the tone setting behind Arsenals build up to the 2014/2015 season.

Sanogo in action for Arsenal

Sanogo in action for Arsenal

 

Will he manage to develop at a faster rate than the impressive Joel Campbell who shone brighter than most big names at the World Cup?

Imagine that we could nurture and develop Sanogo and Campbell, whilst having Giroud and a world class striker. Not forgetting Chuba Akpom who is highly rated within the confines of Arsenals hierarchy

While not the finished article, and by no means a world class back up to challenge Olivier Giroud, it may not be long before Yaya Sanogo is the name most Arsenal fans are asking for to lead the line for Arsenal. With his height and power up front, he could be quite dangerous. A supporter of another club I watched the Community Shield with summed up Sanogo perfectly.

“If his feet can talk to his brain, then the lad could be dangerous. Until then, I’m not sure what to make of him”

Only time will tell if one of Arsenal’s cheapest signings, will result in the production of another world class striker in red and white at the Emirates.

Thanks for reading

Savvygooner

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