English Premier League: Misfiring Yaya Sanogo left at coach Arsene Wenger’s mercy

Former Auxerre striker yet to score following Arsenal’s draw with Leicester.

LEICESTER:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted Yaya Sanogo's struggles in front of goal are becoming an increasing problem, but refused to offer any guarantees he will delve into the transfer market for a new striker.

Sanogo, yet to score in any of his 17 competitive outings since his arrival from Auxerre last year following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leicester, provided little evidence to suggest he is a ready-made replacement for the injured Olivier Giroud.

"When you are 21 and play up front and don't score it is very quickly a problem," said Wenger.

"I don't think that problem will last very long but when you have the chance to play for Arsenal and you don't score it is a problem.

"He tried very hard. You can say he didn't score, yes. Is it on his mind? Of course. He is a striker and scored many goals as a young player."

One potential solution for the club is no longer available after Loic Remy completed a switch to rivals Chelsea from QPR on Sunday.

But Wenger has refused to raise hopes that he is about to repeat last year's significant spending on deadline-day, when Mesut Ozil was recruited for £42.5 million.

"The solution [for the fans] every time you don't win a game is to buy somebody," he said. "They have to trust us to buy the best possible solution.

"Why did Manchester City not beat Stoke? They have plenty of strikers. Football is a team sport, not an individual one.”

Reds are back to their best: Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers warned Liverpool's title rivals that his team are back in the groove after they marked Mario Balotelli's debut with a scintillating 3-0 win at Tottenham.

Balotelli was supposed to steal the spotlight on his return to the Premier League, but the flamboyant Italy striker had to play second fiddle to new teammates Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson on Sunday.

Sterling scored Liverpool's opening goal early in the first half and delivered a sparkling display at the top of the midfield diamond formation Rodgers employed to overwhelm Tottenham's fragile defence.

Balotelli's strike partner Sturridge was a constant menace, while Henderson covered almost every blade of grass in midfield in a typically energetic showing.

And Second-half goals from Steven Gerrard and Alberto Moreno sealed the rout.

"I thought we were excellent,” said Rodgers. “It was an outstanding performance.

“We have risen to every challenge since I've been here. It was the same last year when people wondered if we could keep it up. The beauty of this group is they are very humble.

"We clicked back to where we were last season. That was good to see, I think people will enjoy watching us this season."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2014.

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