Yaya Sanogo says playing a part in last season’s FA Cup triumph helped him adapt to English football.

The France Under-21 striker signed from Auxerre in July 2013 and was given his full Arsenal debut in the Gunners’ 2-1 win against Liverpool.

Sanogo then started the 4-1 win against Everton and played the full 120 minutes of the semi-final against Wigan Athletic before coming on as a 60th-minute substitute in the final against Sunday’s opponents, Hull City.

"Everybody will remember where they were, what they were doing or how they celebrated the cup win against Hull last season" Yaya Sanogo

“It was very important for me,” the 21-year-old told the matchday programme. “The run of games gave me confidence and helped me adapt to English football. From the first game I played in the cup, I wanted to win it.

“I have so many great memories of that FA Cup final weekend. We were so hungry before the game. I can remember seeing the hunger in the players’ eyes. There was some extra pressure because we couldn’t lose that final, no way.

“There were 30 minutes left to play in normal time and I remember the boss said, ‘you have to make a difference now. You have to give everything’.

“I was so ready. I was boiling inside and I so wanted to come on. It was the FA Cup final in front of 90,000 fans. You can’t be tired, shy or average. You have to give everything, be bold, be effective.

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“[Lifting the trophy] was an amazing feeling. I can remember all the Arsenal fans still in the stands, all the chanting, the medals and lifting the cup. It was my first season at the club and to lift the FA Cup was extraordinary.

“Everybody will remember where they were, what they were doing or how they celebrated the cup win against Hull last season, but Hull will want their revenge on Sunday - and knocking us out of the competition would make up for the defeat in the final.”