Kanu Nwankwo says his success at Arsenal ‘opened
the doors’ for more African footballers to play in the Premier League.
Today Thursday, February 18, marks the 17th
anniversary of Kanu signing for the club, and the 39-year-old has fond memories
of his time in north
London.
The former Nigeria striker joined the Gunners in
1999 and went on to score 44 goals in 198 appearances, helping the Gunners lift
two Premier League trophies and two FA Cups during his five years at the club.
“I believe I was the first African person who came
to England and did very well,” he told Arsenal Player.
“After that the doors opened for African talent so,
with Arsenal behind me and what we did with Arsenal, everybody now tends to
follow the English league.
“When I came over I saw a good coach who saw the
best in me. I was a good player because he made it easier for me to play.
“Everybody believes that English football is all
about playing the ball up, not keeping it on the ground, but Arsène has his own
idea of football and it made it easier for us. He wanted us to play football
the right way, he wanted us to enjoy it by passing the ball around and that’s
what we did
“It was very easy to adjust when you saw the fans.
The supporters are behind you and they love you and what you are doing and that
means you have to do more. If you keep doing more, they keep loving you and it
was very easy for them to adopt me.
“I had the skills and the tricks the fans really
love. When I left Arsenal I still had the fans on my mind and since then I’ve
been supporting the club.”
Credit: The Arsenal Football Club
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