Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo has joined Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.

The Frenchman, 21, has struggled for opportunities at the Emirates this season in the wake of Danny Welbeck's summer arrival from Manchester United.

He has made six appearances, scoring just one goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Ligue 1 side Bordeaux were interested in taking the youngster on loan but Gunners chief Arsene Wenger was insistent on him gaining Premier League experience.

 

The former Auxerre hitman is new Eagles boss Alan Pardew's first signing since he returned to Selhurst Park as manager on 2 January.

"He's a young player with tremendous promise," said Pardew.
"He is somebody that I have tracked personally and this club has too so that fitted well. We have given him an opportunity. He needs to play more games and I think he's ready for that and he proved that at Arsenal.
It's tough to get in their team but he's closer to the starting action with us."

Speaking about his move to Palace, Sanogo voiced his excitement at the prospect of regular first-team football.

“When the Arsenal manager spoke with me about Crystal Palace I was very happy because I want to play more games," he said.
"I think Palace are a good team, I watched the game against Tottenham and it was a great performance from the guys. I hope I can help the club have a successful second half of the season."

Thierry Henry has hailed Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal's best signing in the last six years.

The Chilean has hit the ground running since his summer switch from Barcelona, striking his 16th and 17th goals of the season already in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Stoke.
Sanchez has notched 12 of those strikes in the Premier League, almost single-handedly maintaining the Gunners' Champions League chase.

Henry has been equally impressed with the former Barca man's work off the ball as he has with his finishing.

The Frenchman said: “He’s the best signing in the last six years. Arsenal were looking for a player that can deliver on a daily basis — and they have found one.
“He is brilliant, so is his work-rate. He can see the game incredibly as you saw with his part in the Koscielny goal against Stoke on Sunday. He scores and doesn’t need a lot of opportunities to put the ball in back of the net."

Video footage emerged of fans abusing Wenger at Stoke railway station after the defeat, something which Henry labelled a 'joke'.

The Arsenal legend will make his Sky Sports punditry debut this weekend when the Gunners take on Manchester City on Sunday.