Yaya Sanogo has hit back at his critics, claiming that he needed time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, but that goals will come in the future as long as he keeps improving, as reported by Sky Sports.
Sanogo has become something of a figure of fun among Arsenal fans, with the French forward having not scored since moving to the club from Auxerre a year ago. He did, however, suffer a significant injury before that move, and missed two years of football before manager Arsene Wenger decided to snap him up.
He has not, however, scored in 17 competitive appearances. There were shoots of hope this summer, when the striker scored four goals in an Emirates Cup game against Benfica, but he has not carried that momentum into the new season as of yet.
Sanogo said: “Football is the football, but it takes time to adapt.
“I needed six months to adapt. I’ve had quite a lot of problems. I arrived on one leg.
“It’s been difficult to adapt to the league. There’s a lack of confidence, perhaps a bit of pressure too. You’re 21 and you play up front for Arsenal, it’s not easy.
‘When you come out of Ligue 2 and you end up in a duel with [Man City’s Vincent] Kompany, it is not an easy task.
‘On all aspects (of my game) I’ve evolved. When you train with great players every day, you progress. When you play big teams, it helps gain experience.
“It’s a big club. The fans know that I’ve scored a lot of goals at youth level, they’re putting me under a little bit of pressure.
“Once I’ve scored my first goal, everything will be fine. It’s their problem if they criticise me. I’ll still be here.
“I’m going to play, improve and score goals. Sooner or later, it’s going to go in.
“At 21, it’s not easy to play as a striker at Arsenal. You have to fight every day to prove your worth. But Wenger just pushes me to continue and my work will eventually pay off.”
The former French youth international has also claimed that Danny Welbeck will not simply walk into the side, despite his big money deadline day move.
He added: “He’s going to have to battle for his place in the side.
“Last season, I didn’t doubt myself. I was more afraid of getting injured. If the coach brought me in, it’s because he has faith in me.”
