Arsene Wenger has described former Nigeria international, Nwankwo Kanu, as one of the most outstanding African players he worked with at Arsenal as the Frenchman celebrates 20 years as the Gunners manager.
Aside from Kanu and Toure, Wenger who joined Arsenal in 1996 had gone on to work with the likes of Liberia’s Christopher Wreh, Emmanuel Eboue, Marouane Chamakh, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gervinho and currently has Nigeria youngsters Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom under his tutelage.
Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Wenger also went on to reserve praise for the likes of Victor Ikpeba and George Weah who played under him at AS Monaco.
“African players had a massive impact on my career because I always managed them right from the moment I started in the top league in France,”
said Wenger.
“I had African players at Monaco and I like the fact that they were creative and they are usually attacking players with imagination. They have pace and power as well, and they usually combine strength and agility well. That’s very difficult to find.
“Africans are hugely passionate people and there is a big passion in Africa for the game. They are happy on the football pitch and that’s something which has been fantastic for us.
“Kanu had a massive impact here, Kolo Toure too, I had George Weah too… so all these players had a massive impact.”
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