The young Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo may not have scored against Hull City in the famous FA cup final triumph at Wembley back in May, but there is little doubt that he did have a big effect for the Gunners after coming on with around half an hour of normal time left to play.
Arsenal were still trailing at that point and Podolski was struggling to have much influence, but Sanogo got straight into the action and really helped to put Hull on the back foot. He also won the corner from which Koscielny equalised to take the game into extra time.
The France under 21 international has been talking about his great memories of that day, as reported by Arsenal.com, and how his inclusion in the final and previous FA cup games really helped his confidence. It also helped Arsenal, of course, and hopefully Sanogo is fit enough to feature again today.
He said, “It was very important for me. The run of games gave me confidence and helped me adapt to English football. From the first game I played in the cup, I wanted to win it.
“I have so many great memories of that FA Cup final weekend. We were so hungry before the game. I can remember seeing the hunger in the players’ eyes. There was some extra pressure because we couldn’t lose that final, no way.
“There were 30 minutes left to play in normal time and I remember the boss said, ‘you have to make a difference now. You have to give everything’.
“I was so ready. I was boiling inside and I so wanted to come on. It was the FA Cup final in front of 90,000 fans. You can’t be tired, shy or average. You have to give everything, be bold, be effective.
“[Lifting the trophy] was an amazing feeling. I can remember all the Arsenal fans still in the stands, all the chanting, the medals and lifting the cup. It was my first season at the club and to lift the FA Cup was extraordinary.
“Everybody will remember where they were, what they were doing or how they celebrated the cup win against Hull last season, but Hull will want their revenge on Sunday – and knocking us out of the competition would make up for the defeat in the final.”
I really think that would be a lot less likely to happen if Sanogo is available to start up front. I know that we have Alexis and possibly Walcott, but they both operate more effectively from the flanks. The way we play with Giroud as a hold up man seems to bring the best from our attacking options and Sanogo is the player most able to do a similar job for us.
It would also allow Oxlade-Chamberlain to drop back into central midfield and cover for the absence of Ramsey and Wilshere. Do you agree that Sanogo could be the key to Arsenal beating Hull again?