Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Gooners will always remember 1999 as the year Arsenal signed the club’s greatest ever player, a forward by the name of Thierry Henry. For that reason, I forgive you if you forgot that another club legend was brought in during that very same transfer window. Another forward, a lanky 6’5 Nigerian with an arguably bigger billing than Henry at the time. His name was Nwankwo Kanu, and on this day in 1996 Arsenal signed him from Inter Milan.
And what a signing he would be. Eventually. He joined the club on the back of Champions League success with Ajax three years prior, and perhaps even more impressive, an Olympic Gold medal with Nigeria that summer. Kanu scored two late goals in the 4-3 semi-final upset of powerhouse Brazil and from there shot up the ranks.
He signed for Inter Milan in 1996 tipped by many to be a star, but after just 12 games and 1 goal in three years, Arsenal swooped for his signature. It was revealed that Kanu had suffered a heart defect and had to undergo surgery to replace an aortic valve. It resulted in a lengthy layoff from Inter and ultimately a short stint in Italy. Arsenal took the chance on him, and how it payed dividends.
His debut against Sheffield United was masked in controversy, when he raced onto a throw in that was intended as a courtesy (Parlour was attempting to return the ball to Sheffield after an injury) before setting up Marc Overmars to score the winner. Kanu had come on as sub and was unaware of the circumstances.
It wasn’t his first or last substitute appearance. He took a little while to find his feet, but soon endeared himself to the Highbury faithful, scoring an obscene amount of goals off the bench. He was the super sub of all super subs. Languid and skillful, Kanu’s silky touch saw him ease past defenders at will.
As far as I’m concerned, he was the original football playing giant before Peter Crouch made it cool. Crouch’s touch was nothing compared to Kanu’s though. The Nigerian could play as central striker or as support striker, and his twinkle toes saw him score and create in the most exquisite of fashion.
By the time he left Arsenal, he added two Premier League titles, and two F.A Cup triumphs to his already impressive resume, while racking up 44 goals in 197 appearances. An incredible amount, considering nearly half of them came as a substitute.
His filthy backheel against Middlesbrough comes to mind, as well as the Tottenham goal where he flicked the ball over a defender before slamming it home. He could squirm his way out of any spot and seemed to never lose the ball. Exceptional close control he had, and it showed when he scored his greatest ever Arsenal goal. Or should I say goals. Three of them. In 17 minutes. Chelsea probably still have a wanted poster hanging at the bridge with Kanu’s picture above the words “wanted for terrorism.”
Having already scored twice to draw Arsenal level, he put the finishing touches on his hat trick and scored one the Premier League’s best ever goals. I wouldn’t dare try to describe it, watch this beauty for yourself down below. The legend Martin Tyler makes this goal all the more memorable. “Kanu believe it!”
