Arsenal let Yaya Sanogo go on loan to London rivals Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace, 2/1 chances with Coral to be relegated this term, have landed Arsenal attacker Yaya Sanogo on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

France Under-21 international Sanogo becomes Alan Pardew’s first signing since taking over at Selhurst Park, and adds extra pace to a frontline that also includes Wilfried Zaha, Dwight Gayle and Yannick Bolasie.

The Eagles’ swoop for Sanogo is something of a coup, as he was linked with Bordeaux and Premier League trio Aston Villa, Swansea City and West Ham United.

“He’s a young player with tremendous promise,” said Pardew of Sanogo. “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.”

Sanogo, meanwhile, shares similar sentiments. “When the Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] 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.”

At 6ft 4in, Sanogo adds height to Palace, and is taller than other out-and-out strikers Fraizer Campbell, Marouane Chamakh and Glenn Murray.

Having found regular first-team football hard to come by at the Emirates, this temporary switch can help Sanogo emerge from the shadow of Gunners star summer signings Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck. The likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have also blocked his path at Arsenal, while fellow fringe player Joel Campbell could also leave.