Here's why Yannick Sagbo could hurt Arsenal

Yannick Sagbo

Over the past couple of years, several Premier League clubs took a long hard look at Yannick Sagbo. Speculation linked him with the likes of Fulham, QPR and West Ham. Eventually, this summer, Steve Bruce and Hull City took the plunge. The Tigers are now reaping the benefit of pouncing for the Ivorian forward.

Sagbo was not hugely prolific for his former club Evian, scoring 25 goals in 99 appearances. However, Bruce recognised that Sagbo’s tireless work ethic and intelligent hold-up play would make him a suitable candidate to play up top in the tumult of English football.

He’s certainly impressed his team-mates. Speaking to the Daily Star, midfielder Tom Huddlestone said: “Yannick is a brilliant frontman and one who I believe can hurt Premier League ­defenders with his pace and power.

“He is very strong and super quick and those are two ­attributes which any defender will tell you they simply don’t like.”

Huddlestone’s assessment seems to be right. In last weekend’s victory over Liverpool, Sagbo was instrumental.

Sagbo’s Squawka Heat Map demonstrates his constant willingness to work the channels, pulling the Liverpool centre-backs in to uncomfortable positions:

When Sagbo does get on the ball in wide areas, he usually has the pace and skill to beat his man. Indeed, he has been successful in 75% of his take-ons this season. Sagbo also won five of seven headers against the pairing of Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel – the latter of whom is significantly taller than the forward. That suggests that Sagbo is coming to terms with the physical demands of the Premier League, and is beginning to bully defenders. For a team such as Hull, having a physical outlet like Sagbo upfront is a huge bonus.

Although it’s Sagbo’s tremendous work-rate that has won him most plaudits, he is also earning a reputation as a ruthless finisher. He may only have two Premier League goals to his name, but that is due primarily to a lack of opportunities.

Thus far in the 2013/14 season Sagbo has a shooting accuracy of 83%, testing the goalkeeper with five of his six shots. When he does get a chance to shoot, he invariably hits the target.

That level of shooting precision compares favourably with Arsenal’s own powerful French-speaking striker, Olivier Giroud. This Wednesday, Arsenal will have to be on their guard to make sure Sagbo is not presented with a chance to enhance his growing reputation.