Kanu: Why I’ll always be the Gunners’ fans favorite

ARSENAL AND SUPER EAGLES LEGEND KSU NWANKWO HAS OPENED UP ON WHY HE FEELS HE IS ADORED BY THE GUNNERS’ FANS EVEN UP TILL DATE DESPITE LEA...

ARSENAL AND SUPER EAGLES LEGEND KSU NWANKWO HAS OPENED UP ON WHY HE FEELS HE IS ADORED BY THE GUNNERS’
FANS EVEN UP TILL DATE DESPITE LEAVING THE CLUB YEARS BACK.

After just twelve games and one goal for Inter following a move from Ajax, Kanu was in February 1999 signed by Arsenal for a reported fee of around £4.15m.

The 1996 Olympic gold medalist made his debut for Arsenal against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and from that time on, his subsequent displays for the Gunners even
from the bench captured the hearts of the club’s faithfuls who have adored and loved him till date.

The former Inter Milan man who turned 40 in August recently returned to where he calls home – North London where he took part in a
charity match between Arsenal legends and AC Milan legends organized to raise funds for
a charity course.

The two-time African Footballer of the year who netted a hat trick as Arsenal thumped Milan 4-2 in an interview with Arsenal's official website in a recent publication revealed why he remains the fans favorite at the Emirates.

“When I first came to Arsenal I was mainly used as a substitute and it was my job to make an impact off the bench. Sometimes there’s an advantage to coming off the bench
because you’re able to analyse the game first and then when you come on you know where you can hurt the opponent. If you’re not
starting a game, the most important thing is to be focused, wait for your time and then do your own thing. I really thrived on that.

“Sometimes players are not happy because they’re not playing and when they're called upon they don’t do what they're supposed to do, but I did the opposite.

Whenever I was on the pitch I knew what I needed to do and that was to score so we could win. Of course scoring some important
goals also meant the fans liked me more and in my first season I scored a lot. From then on, they accepted me as one of their own. My style is very different to other players’ as it’s
so laid back, but Arsenal fans accepted that, understood it and loved me for it, and I’m so
grateful for their support.

“The best example of this was that goal at Tottenham in 1999. Pat Rice had already drilled it into me how important it was to beat Spurs and I was on the bench ready to come
on and score. I wanted to make an instant impact and with one movement I was able to flick it over the defender’s head and then
smash it into the back of the net. I think that. was when I really introduced myself to our
fans.” Kanu stated.

During his five years spell, Kanu who Kanu began his career at Nigerian league club Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale scored 30 goals in 119
league appearances in Arsenal colors.