Arsenal Training Session
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal began their preparations for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Slavia Prague at London Colney on Tuesday, and there was a familiar face watching on.
The squad are flying high after Sunday’s 1-0 win at Anfield, their first victory there in 14 years. They had more good news on Tuesday, too, with William Saliba back in first-team training after four months out with a back injury. But Saliba wasn’t the only Frenchman drawing attention.
Yaya Sanogo returns to Arsenal training ground
Former striker Yaya Sanogo dropped by to watch the session. In clips shared on social media by Hayters TV, he was greeted with hugs and smiles from Mikel Arteta, whom he played with during his four-year stint in north London. He also shared a warm embrace with fellow countryman Saliba on the defender’s first day back.
Sanogo will always be something of a cult hero among Arsenal fans. He joined from Auxerre in 2013 and came off the bench in the 2014 FA Cup final, as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to beat Hull City and end their nine-year wait for a trophy.
His most famous moment in an Arsenal shirt came at the 2014 Emirates Cup, when he scored four goals against Benfica. He also scored in a 2-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund that season.
Chances were limited after that, and he left the club in 2017. His career has taken him all over the world since. He went on to play for FC Urartu in Armenia and Qingdao Red Lions in China, before joining Brazilian club Amazonas FC. He’s been a free agent since leaving Amazonas in July 2025, though he hasn’t officially retired.
His visit came on a jovial day at London Colney. Saliba is now in contention for the trip to Prague, with Arteta set to give an update in his pre-match press conference this evening.