Yaya Sanogo has the "chaos factor" to keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League and secure a long-term future at Arsenal, according to Alan Pardew.
Palace boss Pardew confirmed Sanogo will return to the Gunners in the summer after signing the France under-21 international on loan, and revealed the striker asked for the No. 9 shirt left vacant following Kevin Doyle's return to Wolves.
Sanogo could make his Palace debut in Saturday's Premier League clash at Burnley, with Pardew claiming his success will be down to more than just his goal return.
The 21-year-old has just one goal in 20 Arsenal appearances, but Eagles boss Pardew tipped him to "hit the ground running'' as Palace bid to ease away from a relegation battle.
"Strikers in the Premier League don't always have to contribute with goals," said Pardew. "I think Sanogo offers a bit of chaos factor: you're not quite sure what he's going to do.
"He's got technical ability that sometimes surprises you, and I think he can score goals. His main job here is to grow as a player, and goals will make him grow quicker.
"So if he could get a goal quickly that would be good for him. I've been lucky in my career when it comes to strikers. Most of my strikers have hit the ground running, and fingers crossed that Yaya does the same.
"[Arsene] Wenger, who I spoke to has a high regard for him, and feels that it will be good for Arsenal and him to come on loan. So it's a platform for him, no more than that, to see if his development is ready to be a Premier League player for Arsenal, and he needs to prove that at this football club.
"His first two or three days' training have been very good, and we're very pleased to have him."
Pardew made Sanogo his first Palace signing after replacing the sacked Neil Warnock at Selhurst Park.
The former Newcastle boss admitted he wants to recruit another striker in the January transfer window, but refused to discuss any continued interest in Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis.
Pardew however refused to rule out a move for Liverpool's Jose Enrique, despite confirming he had made no moves so far for the full-back he managed at Newcastle.
Pardew tipped Sanogo for a big Palace impact, hoping he can mirror the success that a young Alex Song enjoyed on loan from Arsenal at Charlton.
"Taking players of that quality, he's got a fantastic CV of all the grades that you need before you become a Premier League player," said Pardew. "He's done all that, so he now needs to grow in stature and confidence in playing in the Premier League.
"It doesn't always come easy, he might not get a free run at that, he might have to go in, come out, go in, come out, whatever, come off the bench. And I think he will be a big player for Arsenal.
"I had Alex Song from Arsenal many years ago when I was at Charlton, and he did very, very well for me. And if he can half as successful as Alex I'll be very pleased.
"I was surprised the No. 9 shirt was available. Someone said to me it was available, and he wanted it; there was no real strategy behind it.
"It's a positive that he asked for it yes. If he'd asked for No. 39 I would have been slightly disappointed!
"I think we should still be in the market for another striker and we're currently trying to find another route, so to speak. I'm not going to talk about players under contract at other clubs.
"Jose is a player I worked with before; I haven't as such made a direct enquiry to the player or his agent, or the manager of Liverpool, or the chairman of Liverpool, as yet."