Former Super Eagles and Arsenal legend Kanu Nwankwo revealed how it was difficult for him to get into the Arsenal starting team after representing Nigeria during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Tunisia.
While granted an exclusive interview with Arsenal about the club’s 2003/04 invincible season, Kanu asserted it was difficult to get into the team because the team was filled with many talents.
After he returned from the AFCON tournament where he helped Nigeria win the Bronze medal following their third place victory over Mali, Kanu only played in one league game after his return. The interviewer asked him if that affected his 2003/04 season.
“It was difficult because in a squad of so many good players, when you lose your place, it’s hard to get it back. Obviously, Arsenal did very well while I was away, so it was hard for me to get into the team again after going away. Sometimes it worked the other way – when you go away sometimes, they need you back in the team or need to change things, but this season they didn’t need to change anything.”
Kanu started his professional career in the Nigeria League with Iwuanyanwu Nationale now Heartland FC in 1992, he left the club after a year to join Ajax, and following his resplendent career, Kanu attracted interest from Inter Milan. The Nigerian star was signed by Arsène Wenger in 1999. After a difficult season he left for West Brom and also played at Portsmouth.
Having gone through the U17 and U23 level of the Nigerian team, Kanu was capped 84 times with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, registering 12 goals. He participated in the 2000 African Cup of Nations final in which Nigeria was beaten in Lagos.
The now Enyimba FC Chairman, alongside Enyimba FC head coach Finidi George, was the first Nigerian to lift the UEFA Champions League title. He also won 3 Eredivisie titles, the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.
He won 2 Premier League titles with the Gunners, one being the Invincible campaign in the 2002-03 season. Two FA Cup and Charity Shield were included in his trophy achievement at Arsenal.
