Gunners boss speaks out on deal.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Yaya Sanogo is joining Ajax on a season-long loan deal, reports the Daily Express.
The 65-year-old is happy that the forward will be getting Champions League football during the campaign. This will allow the youngster to develop while still playing at a high level. With Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, and Joel Campbell all able to play up front at the Emirates Stadium it is unlikely that the Frenchman would have been able to do this had he stayed.
Last season the 22-year-old Frenchman managed two goals in 16 appearances, although just eight of those were starts and 11 came while on loan with Crystal Palace. As such, the striker clearly needs to improve while playing in the Eredivisie if he is to return and make an impact in the Premier League.
“He will go on loan, I believe he needs to play,” said Wenger, “He’s ready and he’ll get an opportunity to play in the Champions League.”
Meanwhile Ajax boss Frank De Boer has also said: “He stands to be a great talent, it’s just difficult to get there at Arsenal. I think we can give him the opportunity to once again show that he has talent.”
Sanogo will get the chance to work under and learn from a real Arsenal legend during his spell in Amsterdam, with former Gunners great Dennis Bergkamp on De Boer’s coaching staff.
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This deal doesn’t leave the Gunners short in the forward areas, but with Joel Campbell also being linked with a departure [Metro] it could mean that space is being made in North London for a new arrival.
The Gunners have been linked with moves for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema [Daily Telegraph] and Lyon ace Alexandre Lacazette [Metro] this summer and both could be a significant improvement on their current stocks. The former scored 22 goals in 47 appearances, while the latter top scored in Ligue 1 with 27 in 31.