When Arsenal signed Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Ligue 2 side Auxerre in France, many were left undecided on the signing because he was yet another unknown youngster. A few YouTube searches and information routes later and suddenly Gunners across the world managed to find almost everything there is to know about Sanogo and suddenly we were more content than anxious about the signing.

It quickly became clear that despite being so early on in his professional career, Sanogo had already experienced a whole host of stumbling blocks. Consistent injuries and issues with fitness made him even consider that it wasn’t his duty to play professional football and he almost became a postman in France; however the young striker quickly got over his injury problems and became a real gem in the latest production line of talent from France.

Arsenal took the opportunity to snap him up and although there were massive risks with his injury record, Wenger was obviously quite confident that the 20 year old striker would get over his past and prove to be an exciting prospect. And although Sanogo hasn’t really had the chance to perform, the odd glimpse of talent has shown already for Arsenal this season. A key part of his relatively good start at the club seems to be down to how well he’s settled in and in an interview with Arsenal.com, Sanogo made it very clear he was working on becoming a success with Arsenal.

Sanogo said: “I’ve got used to my team-mates really well. I’ve had time with and spoken to people like Bacary Sagna who’s from Auxerre too and this has really helped me to settle in. I’ve felt really well ever since I got here. It gives me confidence [to see Sagna and Abou Diaby], they’ve taken the same path [from Auxerre], got into the team and they’ve done really well here so I’d like and hope to emulate what they’ve done. But I will need time, it’s a new way of life, a new league and it will take time to adapt. It’s something I will manage. I think I’ll have to toughen up and improve my strength, that’s part and parcel of such an intense league as the Premier League, as well as getting used to the step up, which it is from the French league.”

Sanogo seems to recognise how tough the challenge will be however luckily for his sake, Wenger has changed so many young players into world beaters with Arsenal and there’s just something about Sanogo that makes me think that if he can get over his persistent injury concerns then we could have a real talent in our hands.

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