YAYA SANOGO

Who is he? Where does he play?

With Arsene Wenger's Arsenal empire crumbling down around him whilst he faces constant criticism about a transfer policy that relies on unproven youngsters from mainland Europe while all the other clubs go around snaffling up all the proven, experienced quality, he is planning on fixing things by going in for another unproven youngster.

His name is Yaya Sanogo, he is 20 and he plays in Ligue 2 for Auxerre as a striker. 

Sounds like a Wenger-type of player then?

He certainly does. As they face their eighth consecutive year without a trophy, what better way than to get the fans, disillusioned by the sales of Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and co. back onside than to go in for an infant striker who has not played at any higher level than the France under-21s? Well, lambast Wenger all you want, the fact is he's a fan of the youthful striker.

Any reason why? Or is he just becoming a parody of himself?

He's a constant goal-scorer. 18 goals in 18 games for the French under-16s, 9 goals in 16 games for the under 17s and, after battling with a tibia injury in 2011, he has bagged 8 goals in fourteen games this season for Auxerre as they look to get back to Ligue 1. That included a goal-crazy February in which he scored 7 goals in a week, putting four past Laval then smashing a hat-trick, seven days later, against Tours.

Just a goal-scoring machine then?

He has an impressive physique, standing at an imposing 6ft 3, and he can either beat a man with his electrifying pace, or latch onto the end of a pass with his agility and physical strength. He is solid in the air and possesses a fine technical ability that allows him to finish strongly and find a variety of ways to unlock defences. 

In the fine words of the Bleacher Report they say: 
As Sanogo matures and continues to learn how to make runs, and use his strengths inside a system, he can take himself to that next level. The team who secures his services from Auxerre will be getting themselves a diamond who is ready to shine.

In their report, they compare him to Theirry Henry, and have a neat little video of Sanogo scoring and doing a lot of impressive stuff. It can be read here;

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1522860-auxerre-striking-sensation-yaya-sanogo-is-turning-heads-around-europe

Anything else to add?

Well, Sanogo is still a work in progress standing at just 20 and you can see why Wenger, who has previously plucked Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna from Auxerre, rates him as a future prospect. However, he will be rivaled for his signature by the likes of Lyon and Lille who have also registered an interest in the Ivorian-born forward