Kanu Arsenal performance ranked one of the best 50 in Premier League history

It might be stated to be essentially the most memorable of Kanu’s performances at Arsenal, not only for its sheer magnificence however for the grandness of the event – it was in opposition to Chelsea

In 1999, Kanu Nwankwo had accomplished what many footballers had by no means accomplished prior to now and would nonetheless discover it troublesome to do sooner or later.

The lanky Nigerian had joined Arsenal as a comparatively unknown participant to the Gunners trustworthy, regardless of his Olympics heroics in Atlanta. He had additionally gained the African Participant of the 12 months on the time however little was identified about him in London.

His unveiling was one of many least elaborate in Arsenal’s fashionable historical past. He had additionally gained the UEFA Champions League with Ajax however needed to face a coronary heart surgical procedure which put his profession underneath the radar for a while.

Arsene Wenger took an opportunity on the previous Inter Milan ahead and followers thanked him for the brilliance and shrewdness of the enterprise he performed.

In an evaluation of the 50 greatest performances by Nigerians within the Premier League period, The Athletic which had ranked Okocha’s efficiency in opposition to Tottenham in November 2003 at forty seventh has now listed Kanu’s comeback hat trick in opposition to Chelsea thirtieth within the rankings.

“Kanu’s place in all of it was fascinating. He was an everyday starter in the course of the season, even when all through his Arsenal profession he fluctuated between the key position and specialist act of influence substitute. Wenger cherished the pliability, the very fact Kanu had the ingenuity and ability to fill Bergkamp’s No 10 position, and the hold-up play and cleverness round aim to usher in others or end himself, paying homage to the No 9 accountability a participant like Alan Smith used to such nice impact,” The Athletic’s Amy Lawrence wrote.

“On October twenty third, 1999, Arsenal confronted a visit to Chelsea, which was ill-timed because it was the filling in a really intense Champions League sandwich. Dwelling video games both facet, in opposition to Barcelona and Fiorentina, loomed massive within the consciousness and Wenger picked his crew accordingly. This was a trial marketing campaign in that Arsenal employed Wembley Stadium for his or her European matches, an experiment that appeared to pile on the stress as they weren’t fairly at residence, and their opponents tended to reach additional impressed.”

What adopted all that chaotic interval was a efficiency that’s remembered by Nigerians as one of many biggest of any African within the league. In it was additionally a aim that is likely one of the greatest seen by any participant within the Premier League period.

Arsenal followers additionally keep in mind that efficiency for the fantastic thing about its reminiscence and significance, and Kanu for being the person behind such brilliance.