Forgotten Arsenal flop hints at return to England after club 'invented' injury

Ex-Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo has hinted he could return to English football – after a spell in the Chinese second division.

The Frenchman, who won the FA Cup with the Gunners, has spent the season with Qingdao Red Lions.

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Sanogo, 31, has also played for Crystal Palace, Charlton and Huddersfield as well as Ajax and Auxerre.

The Paris-born player launched a renewed attack on Middlesbrough, insisting their false claim he had a shoulder injury hampered his bid to find a new club in 2020.

Sanogo picked out Arsenal’s 3-2 FA Cup final win over Hull City as the highlight of his career.

And the forward said he almost became a postman after a serious leg injury threatened to end his career aged just 17.

Sanogo said: “I’m now out of contract, and I am open to anything.  I’ve enjoyed being in China, but let’s see what project I will go for.

“I have had a number of phone calls, and the omens are good – especially from clubs in Europe.

“I hope to get fixed up soon.  I’ve not set myself a definite target – I just want to enjoy myself and have fun.

“With all the struggles I have had in my career, that is truly my aim now.

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“I was due to sign for Middlesbrough. I reached an agreement with them, but during my medical they invented a shoulder problem that I’d never had.

“After that, everyone asked me if I was injured. They wrote in the media that I had failed my medical, so clubs were always a bit wary about me.”

Middlesbrough have been approached for comment.

Sanogo scored just one goal in 20 Arsenal games, but is still remembered for being an impact sub at Wembley in 2014.

He told So Foot magazine: “My best memory is the FA Cup final.  I was decisive when I came on, and the players sang my song in the dressing-room afterwards.

“We were losing, I came on as we went with two up front, and I made an impact.  I was young, and it is something I will never forget.

“I returned to the Emirates Stadium for a game last year, and people came up to thank me for that final.

“I come from Les Ulis in Paris, the same as Thierry Henry and Patrice Evra. It is an honour for us to see how far we have come in our careers.

“I now want to pass on the benefit of my experience to the team I play for.

“I had a bit of an iffy spell during the two years after I had a serious shin injury. The surgeon told me it would be virtually impossible for me to resume my playing career.

“I asked myself what I could do instead. I was just 17, and in the depths of despair.

“It crossed my mind to become a postman. But there was a five per cent chance I could play again, and even though it was minimal it was still a chance for me.

“I had to wait for two years – but I made my return to football.”