Arsenal Football Club is one of the most successful clubs in English football history, with a rich legacy of notable accomplishments. The club boasts an impressive record of 13 Premier League titles, 14 FA Cup titles, two League Cups, and 16 FA Community Shields.
Throughout their history, Arsenal has had several players of Nigerian descent represent their team. While not all of them went on to play for the Super Eagles, their roots have remained a point of pride for Nigerian fans. Here, we look at some of the best players of Nigerian descent to have played for the senior Arsenal team.
Nwankwo Kanu Skills Will Blow Your Mind 🤯
Key Players of Nigerian Descent at Arsenal
1. Nwankwo Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu is without doubt the most famous Nigerian to play for Arsenal. Born in Owerri, Imo State, Kanu began his career at local side Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance in Nigeria's victorious U-17 World Championship campaign, he was signed by Dutch giants Ajax in 1993 for an undisclosed fee.
Signed from Inter Milan in 1999 for approximately £4.15 million, he became a fan favourite due to his flair, creativity, and big-game goals. Kanu arrived at Arsenal in 1999 already boasting an impressive haul of accolades and trophies. In 1996, after leading his nation to Olympic glory in Atlanta, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter Milan where it was discovered he had a congenital heart defect.
Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu's career was quickly revived at Arsenal. In the 1999-2000 season, he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory. However the moment Kanu will best be remembered for was the mesmeric finale to a 17-minute hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in 1999.
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Kanu could operate both as a target man or as a deep-sitting conductor of play. He had the ability to bamboozle defenders in the blink of an eye, using superb close control to wriggle out of tight spots. Kanu was also part of the squad during the early years of the “Invincibles” era under Arsène Wenger. Along with other famous players, such as Henry and Robert Pires, Kanu is a member of the "Invincibles", the Arsenal side that finished the 2003-04 season of the Premier League undefeated.
He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In the summer of 2006, Kanu played as a guest for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game, the first match to be played in Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium. The game was tied 1-1 when Kanu scored the winning goal, making him the third person to score in the stadium.
2. Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi, who plays his football at Everton now, has played for the Arsenal side under the leadership of Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. Born in Lagos and raised in England, Iwobi came through the Arsenal academy and made his senior debut in 2015. He had played in 149 games for the Gunners, scoring 15 goals and making 27 assists for the team before his exit.
3. Chuba Akpom
Chuba Akpom was seen as a promising talent from the academy and made his debut at age 17. He eventually moved to PAOK in Greece, where he rediscovered his form and later returned to English football.
4. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is one of the brightest footballers to come out of Arsenal’s Hale End academy. Although he chose to represent England internationally, his Nigerian roots are well celebrated among fans. Saka is one of the brightest footballers to come out of Arsenal’s Hale End academy.
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5. Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun is a highly rated striker who came through Arsenal’s academy. Balogun impressed on loan at Reims in Ligue 1, where he scored over 20 league goals in the 2022-23 season.
6. Ethan Nwaneri
Despite his young age, Ethan Nwaneri has already shown flashes of brilliance with Arsenal's youth and senior setups.
7. Semi Ajayi
Semi Ajayi joined Arsenal from Charlton’s academy but did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners.
Other Notable Players
Besides the aforementioned players, several other footballers of Nigerian descent have been part of Arsenal's setup:
- Aaron Eyoma: Part of the Arsenal team from 2015 to 2018, known for his speed and crossing ability.
- Tolaji Bola: A defender who progressed through Arsenal's youth ranks and was included in the senior squad for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons.
- Joseph Olowu: A Nigerian-born defender who started his career at Arsenal and had loan spells before joining Doncaster Rovers.
- Tobi Omole: A versatile defender who played for Arsenal's U23 team before moving to Tottenham and later Crawley Town.
- Xavier Amaechi: A talented winger who scored 10 goals in 15 appearances for Arsenal's U18 team during the 2017/18 season.
- Kelechi Nwakali: Signed in 2016, Nwakali showed promise but left Arsenal permanently in 2019 without making a first-team appearance.
Summary
Arsenal has a history of nurturing and showcasing players of Nigerian descent. From the legendary Nwankwo Kanu to the promising talents of today, these players have added to the club's rich tapestry and continue to inspire fans around the world.
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| Player | Position | Years at Arsenal | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nwankwo Kanu | Forward | 1999-2004 | "Invincibles" squad member, Premier League winner, FA Cup winner |
| Alex Iwobi | Midfielder | 2015-2019 | 149 appearances, 15 goals |
| Bukayo Saka | Winger/Defender | 2018-Present | Breakthrough talent, England international |
| Folarin Balogun | Striker | 2019-2023 | Impressed on loan at Reims |
