• Premier League

Sanogo warns Welbeck and dismisses Arsenal fans

Yaya Sanogo has warned Danny Welbeck he faces a fight for a place in the Arsenal team and told the club's critical fans he is going nowhere.

The 21-year-old striker arrived from Auxerre just over a year ago and was nicknamed 'SaNOgoals' by some supporters after failing to find the net in 16 competitive outings for the club.

Sanogo admitted he has found adapting to the Premier League difficult after playing at a lower level in France and having to overcome injury, but is confident new £16 million signing Welbeck will not be ahead of him in the pecking order in the absence of the injured Olivier Giroud.

"He's [Welbeck's] going to have to battle for his place in the side," Sanogo told L'Equipe. "Last season, I didn't doubt myself. I was more afraid of getting injured. If the coach brought me in, it's because he has faith in me.

"I've become more solid. The defenders can be quite nasty. When you come out of Ligue 2, and you know that you're going to come up against [Manchester City's Vincent] Kompany, it's quite a thing. But I've gained in experience."

Sanogo was sidelined for two years by a complicated leg fracture in 2010 and has told Arsenal supporters they need to show more patience with him.

He said: "It's a big club. The fans know that I've scored a lot of goals at youth level, they're putting me under a little bit of pressure. Once I've scored my first goal, everything will be fine.

"It's their problem if they criticise me. I'll still be here. I'm going to play, improve and score goals. Sooner or later, it's going to go in.

"I needed six months to adapt. I've had quite a lot of problems. I arrived on one leg. It's been difficult to adapt to the league. There's a lack of confidence, perhaps a bit of pressure too. You're 21 and you play up front for Arsenal, it's not easy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd