Arsenal flop who was dubbed the 'new Thierry Henry' joins Chinese second-tier side at 31

A former Arsenal player who was once tipped to be the new Thierry Henry has joined a second-tier side in China.

Yaya Sonogo joined Arsenal as a 20-year-old in the 2013 summer transfer window from Auxerre in his native France.

But he only made 20 first-team appearances under Arsene Wenger in his four years at the Emirates.

Now at 31, the striker has joined Qingdao Red Lions who play in China's League One, the country’s second tier.

Sonogo has signed ahead of China’s 2024 season which kicks off next weekend.

The Frenchman netted just one goal for the Gunners, which came in a Champions League encounter against Borussia Dortmund to secure the club’s place in the last 16.

He also scored four goals in an Emirates Cup game against Benfica in 2014.

At the time one person even claimed on X: "Wow Sanogo wtf this man is better than I’ve ever seen Henry play. Just nutmegged some German."

Another said: "I remember when Thierry Henry joined us back then. I will still pick Sanogo now than Henry back then."

Sonogo scored one goal in his four years at Arsenal (Getty)

And a third boldly added: "Sanogo will break Henry’s goalscoring record."

Sonogo struggled at Arsenal, as he did while on loan at Crystal Palace, Charlton and Ajax. He ultimately left north London in 2017, spending three years at Toulouse before being released.

He was without a club for several months before joining Huddersfield Town, but only lasted three months in Yorkshire.

After a 20-month wait for a new club, Sanogo signed for Armenian Premier League club Urartu in January 2023 - scoring a brace on his debut. However. his contract was terminated by mutual consent in January this year.