As the transfer window is well and truly underway there has been an exit from the Emirates Stadium, as French striker Yaya Sanogo is on his way to the Netherlands on a season-long loan to Ajax. This comes on the back of the 22-year-old spending the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace in an attempt to gain experience.
Boss' thoughts
Speaking on the move, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted "needs to play". Wenger added, "He's ready and he has an opportunity to play in the Champions League, which is good experience." Sanogo joined Arsenal in 2013 from Auxerre and has played 22 times but, crucially, the young French starlet has only scored once for Arsenal.
Can he prove himself?
Surely this provides Sanogo with the opportunity to prove all the doubters wrong as he looks to make a name for himself as striker. Sanogo has stated that he hopes to join the Ajax pantheon of greats which includes the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović and Nwankwo Kanu.
When he joined Arsenal he had reputation as a player who tends to spend a lot of time on the physio’s table. So, while on loan at a club like Ajax, Arsenal will hope that they can help make Yaya Sanogo a stronger and more efficient player.
Learning from the best
Wenger then went onto say that, “He came to us injured and it took us a while to get him to top level." While at Ajax, Sanogo will be linking up with two former Arsenal greats - Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars. This can only help the growth of a player who has shown potential for the France Under-19’s and France Under-20’s, but has been unable to showcase these talents in the Premier League.
Many fans believe that Wenger is letting go of Sanogo on loan so that Arsenal can bring in another French striker in Karim Benzema. Only time will tell whether this happens.