Yaya Sanogo, once a promising striker at Arsenal, shares his experiences and memories from his time at the club.
Joining from Auxerre, he recalls the excitement and challenges he faced in north London, including working under Arsène Wenger and alongside renowned teammates.
Yaya Sanogo, the former Arsenal striker now playing in Armenia, has reminisced about the moment he discovered Arsenal‘s interest in signing him, describing it as a “dream.”
Sanogo, who joined Arsenal in 2013 from Auxerre, struggled to make a significant impact during his time in north London, failing to score in the Premier League in 11 appearances over four years.
His tenure at Arsenal included loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, and Ajax.
Sanogo fondly recalls his initial interaction with then-manager Arsène Wenger, saying, “I remember it was after my seven goals in two games [for Auxerre].
“I scored four goals one weekend, and then three goals the weekend after, and I received a call from the boss. Wenger called me on my phone. I didn’t have any English numbers on my phone and I said: ‘It is not possible he is calling me – maybe I need to sleep!'”
Despite not establishing himself at Emirates Stadium, Sanogo views his time at Arsenal positively, citing the invaluable experience he gained from being alongside prominent players. “My experience at Arsenal was good because I learned a lot from big players who were playing next to me, even in the dressing room, in the gym,” he said.
“I was the youngest player in the squad at 19. When you play for Auxerre there is pressure – but not high pressure like at Arsenal. A couple of months after leaving Auxerre, [Mesut] Ozil was next to me, [Theo] Walcott, [Bacary] Sagna.
Reflecting on his youth and the shift from Auxerre to Arsenal, he noted the pressure difference and the rapid learning curve required.
Sanogo highlighted the influence of teammates like Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott, and Bacary Sagna, saying, “All the players were playing for their national team, big players. I learned many things about these players, how they prepare for games, how they trained and how they talked. You have no choice but to learn very quickly.”
Where is Sanogo now?
Now 30, Yaya Sanogo has passed through multiple clubs, never really finding a home, and never generating a transfer fee.
His journey in professional football began in earnest with his move from AJ Auxerre’s youth setup to the first team in 2010. His potential soon caught the eye of Arsene Wenger, leading to a free transfer in July 2013.
At Arsenal, Sanogo’s career was marked by several loan spells, including stints at Crystal Palace, Ajax, and Charlton, reflecting the club’s attempts to provide him with more playing time and experience.
Despite these opportunities, Sanogo struggled to find a permanent footing at Arsenal, leading to his departure in July 2017 when he joined Toulouse on another free transfer.
This move marked a return to French football, but his tenure at Toulouse did not last long.
By July 2020, Sanogo found himself without a club, a status that would persist for several months. During this time, he faced the challenge of maintaining his fitness but his resilience paid off when Huddersfield signed him in February 2021.
However, this stint was also short-lived, and by July 2021, Sanogo was again without a club.
The period following his time at Huddersfield was perhaps the most challenging of Sanogo’s career.
For a year-and-a-half, he remained without a club, a phase that tested his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Eventually, in January 2023, Sanogo’s found a new home.
He joined FC Urartu, a club in Armenia’s Premier League, where he began a new chapter in his career.
There, Sanogo has six goals in 16 games, averaging a goal every 128 minutes.
In total, Sanogo has played 174 professional games, scoring 42 and assisting nine.