Football
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I was on the streets three years ago, says Arsenal's Yaya Sanogo

#INSERT type:image caption:Sanogo has told Arsenal fans to stay patient and the goals will come. END#

Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo has told the club's official website that he was living on the streets three years ago.

Sanogo, 21, said he felt the pressure of being a striker for a Premier League club after arriving from Auxerre on a free transfer in the summer.

The Frenchman hit four preseason goals for Arsenal, but has yet to score in the Premier League and has not featured for the first team since the arrival of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

He said: "I feel the pressure, but people should not forget that, three years ago, I was living on the streets. Today, I'm playing for Arsenal."

Sanogo urged fans to stay patient with him, saying criticism "comes with the job of a striker" and promising that he would find his goal-scoring touch.

"Goals will come as long as I keep working hard," he added. "I am always positive, and usually when I start scoring I don't stop.

"When I joined Auxerre's training centre I knew I wanted to become a footballer and I told myself I had to be the best player there. I had to sign that contract and, after being injured for two years, Arsenal found me.

"I haven't set any targets yet -- all I care about is that I play and improve my game. Of course people will pressurise me -- sometimes I get good critics and sometimes they are unfair -- but I am catching up slowly and I am confident my time will come."

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