adminLONDON. — Crystal Palace have signed Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old Frenchman had been in line to make a switch to Bordeaux. But Arsene Wenger was desperate for him to get English Premier League experience and he’s sent him to Palace to get more minutes. Sanogo has played six times for Arsenal this season, scoring his first competitive goal against Borussia Dortmund.
He said: “I think Palace are a good team, I watched the game against Tottenham and it was a great performance from the guys.
“I hope I can help the club have a successful second half of the season.” Palace boss Alan Pardew added: “We have given him an opportunity, he needs to play more games and I think he’s ready for that and he proved that at Arsenal.
“It’s tough to get in their team, but he’s closer to the starting action with us.”
And the player admitted moving to south London appealed to him as he was looking to get more playing time after struggling behind Olivier Giroud and the other offensive options at the Emirates.
He said: “When the Arsenal manager spoke with me about Crystal Palace I was very happy because I want to play more games.”
Sanogo made 14 appearances for the Gunners last season, including four outings in the club’s victorious FA Cup run.
“Sanogo joins Crystal Palace for the opportunity to gain more first team experience. Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Yaya the best of luck during his time at Selhurst Park,” Arsenal said.
A France Under-21 international, he scored three times in four games for Les Bleus during their qualifying campaign for the Under-21 European Championship. He was also a key member of France’s victorious Fifa Under-20 World Cup-winning side in 2013, finishing the tournament as his side’s top scorer. Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil says his long lay-off made him “nervous” about his Arsenal comeback. — The Daily Star.
Online Reporter