Five possible loan destinations for Arsenal’s Champions League cult hero
Of the many divisive talking points or subjects of debate in the Arsenal squad is the worth of young striker Yaya Sanogo. Those who rate him do so wholeheartedly, while those who don’t, well, don’t. Yaya has an uncanny way of showing flashes of both brilliance and ineptitude all within the same match or even moment and can be a real frustration to watch. Any young aspiring striker would kill for his physical attributes, as he possesses much heigh, pace, strength, and great aerial ability. In other words, he has everything to be successful in the top flight, except of course the confidence and the finishing ability.
He now finds himself the subject of much transfer speculation, with many believing he may be loaned out in January. Sanogo has made 39 appearances in all competition since joining from Auxerre in 2013 and so far managed to score just once. That goal of course came against Borussia Dortmund last month, but Sanogo has failed to really replicate that before and after. He has struggled really to get in the side as of late which has drawn speculation about his future with handful of premier league clubs reportedly interested in taking him on loan.
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Palace is said to be the most keen on Yaya with Neil Warnock reportedly looking for a replacement for former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh who picked up a long term knock against Stoke. Warnock is said to be very interested in Yaya as he possesses similar attributes to Chamakh in terms of psychical stature and athletic prowess. I like the look of Yaya at Palace and I think with the likes of Bolasie and Campbell around him he will get plenty chances to score.
The black cats are another who are monitoring the situation and are looking to bring in another striker as well. Sunderland have really struggling in front of goal this year with the likes of Altidore and Wickham particulalry wasteful. Steven Fletcher is a danger man, but can’t seem to stay fit and the Tyne-Wear side may be looking to add more firepower in their ranks.
Villa were once off to a flying start, but tailed off drastically and much of it is due to an untimely scoring drought. The villains have been shut out eight times in the league season and have really missed danger man Christian Benteke. He has returned now and has picked up the goal scoring mantle in recent weeks, but Villa could be in trouble if they rely too heavily on him. Villa currently sit in 12th and are reportedly intereted in Sanogo in an effort to push into the top half of the table.
Relegation battlers Hull are another side who have struggled mightily in front of goal recently despite starting off strong. Summer signing Abel Hernandez looked to be an instant hit at the KC stadium but the goals have since dried up and the tigers find themselves wallowing in 19th, just three points off bottom club Leicester.
Could be a homecoming for Sanogo, with a move back to first club Auxerre also being mooted. It is believed that Wenger prefers to keep the player in the Premier League, so Auxerre’s chances at landing the player are slim, but if somehow Arsenal cannot work out a deal to keep Sanogo in the England’s top flight (not sure how that would happen if its only a loan), his only likely destination after that would be a return to France. Sanogo was prolific for Auxerre and knows the club well. He would relish a return to his old stomping ground.