Nwankwo Kanu has expressed his confidence that English-born Nigerian duo, Bukayo Temidayo Saka and Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri, have the potential to match – if not surpass – his achievements at Arsenal, Completesports.com reports
Kanu, 48, enjoyed an illustrious career with the Gunners, scoring 44 goals and recording 35 assists in 197 appearances. Fondly known as ‘Papilo,’ he was part of Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ squad that went unbeaten to win the 2003/2004 English Premier League title.
During his time at Arsenal, Nwankwo Kanu won two Premier League titles (2001–02, 2003–04), including being part of the historic Invincibles squad. He also lifted back-to-back FA Cup titles (2001–02, 2002–03) and claimed the 1999 FA Charity Shield. Additionally, he helped the Gunners finish as a runner-up in both the 2000–01 FA Cup and the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, earning silver medals in both competitions.
Speaking exclusively to Complete Sports in Aba on Sunday, on the sidelines of the opening day of the second edition of the Enyimba/HamKam FC (Norway) Partnership Development and Scouting Programme, the Enyimba FC Executive Chairman expressed confidence in Arsenal’s title-winning credentials.
Saka, Nwaneri Can Surpass My Record – Kanu
“Every player is different, and every record can be broken,” Kanu told Complete Sports when asked if Saka and Nwaneri could eclipse his achievements at Arsenal.
“For them to do well, it’s good for them, Arsenal, and football. Because you have to wish people the best for the best to reach you. As for me, I’m always happy when I see other Nigerians coming in, representing, and projecting the image of the country. This is good for us as a nation.
“As an ex-player and a legend, I want the younger ones to rise and even achieve more than I did. I believe they can do it, and I wish them the best.”
Both Saka, 23, and Nwaneri, 17, are products of Arsenal’s famed academy. While Saka has long established himself as a key player, Nwaneri has impressed since stepping up to fill the void left by Saka’s injury. Kanu believes their contributions can help Arsenal reclaim the Premier League title this season.
Arsenal Ready to End Title Drought
Currently second in the EPL table behind Liverpool, Arsenal are firmly in the title race. Kanu is not surprised by their resurgence
“I’m not surprised by Arsenal’s current form and performance. I’ve been to the Emirates Stadium and met with the coach, Mikel Arteta, back when Edu was there. We spoke, and I saw their plans. It was a solid long-term strategy,” Kanu enthused.
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“So, what is happening now – their wonderful performances and the way they are winning games – is not new to me. I always knew they would get things right.
“But if you look back at the last two seasons, Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League. And each time, it has been just small details that have stopped them from winning the title.
“This year, you can see the progress. Every season, they keep improving. The time will come when they won’t be second anymore because if you keep finishing second, your aim will be to come first.
“When people talk about Arsenal now, they see them among the big clubs again. Look at Manchester United and where they are on the table. Arsenal, however, are up there.
“This year, they are still fighting to be number one. And for me, who says ‘we’ (Arsenal) can’t win the league? I was an Arsenal player, and I support Arsenal as well. They have the potential, the quality, and they are doing well despite injuries to key players.
“If they keep playing the way they are now, I believe they can win the league.”
Nwaneri Among the World’s Best – Kanu
Kanu also reserved high praise for Arsenal’s teenage sensation, Nwaneri, calling him a ‘wonderful’ talent.
“He’s a wonderful player,” Kanu said excitedly about the 17-year-old.
“When you talk about the best players in the world, you have to mention his name. And I’m happy and proud that he is of Nigerian origin. That’s a good thing. Arsenal must make full use of him.
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“I know Saka is not there, but Nwaneri has stepped up and filled the gap. Not only is he filling the gap, but he is also scoring goals and providing assists. When you consider his age, you realise the sky is the limit for him and Arsenal.
“You need players like him in your squad so that tomorrow, you don’t have to spend millions upon millions of pounds on a player you already have in your academy.
“I’m quite impressed with what he has done so far, and I believe he will do even more.”
Why Enyimba’s Talent Programme Partnered HamKam, Not Arsenal
Despite his deep ties with Arsenal, Kanu’s Enyimba Talent Discovery and Development Programme partnered with Norwegian club Hamkam rather than the Gunners. The ex-Nigeria captain explained why.
“Yes, I would love Arsenal to be involved. Definitely, they will come. I will talk to them.
“When we had this opportunity to partner with a club in Norway, we had to grab it. But the door is still open. I haven’t formally approached Arsenal to discuss this, so I won’t say that Arsenal turned us down.
“Right now, we are working with HamKam FC, Norway. They were here last year, and they are back again this year. The relationship is growing stronger. The more they come here, the more we become like family.
“You can see my coaches are more relaxed now than when the partnership started. And you can see the programme – coaching the coaches, so they can train the players effectively. That’s what this initiative is all about.”
By Sab Osuji
Voormalig Arsenal-speler Nwankwo Kanu heeft onlangs zijn vertrouwen uitgesproken in twee huidige spelers van de club, Bukayo Saka en Folarin Balogun, en gelooft dat ze zijn clubrecord kunnen breken en de Gunners kunnen helpen om de Premier League-titel te winnen.
Kanu, die tussen 1999 en 2004 voor Arsenal speelde en 43 doelpunten scoorde in 197 optredens, is onder de indruk van de prestaties van Saka en Balogun dit seizoen. Saka, een 20-jarige aanvaller, heeft al indruk gemaakt met zijn snelheid, techniek en doelpunten, terwijl Balogun, een 21-jarige spits, ook zijn stempel heeft gedrukt met zijn doelpunten en aanvallende instinct.
Kanu gelooft dat beide spelers het potentieel hebben om zijn record van 43 doelpunten voor Arsenal te breken en zelfs meer te bereiken. Hij is ervan overtuigd dat Saka en Balogun de kwaliteiten hebben om uit te groeien tot topspelers en Arsenal te helpen om weer succesvol te worden in de Premier League.
De voormalige Nigeriaanse international is ook optimistisch over de kansen van Arsenal om de Premier League-titel te winnen. Hij gelooft dat met de juiste mix van talent, ervaring en tactiek, de Gunners in staat zijn om de topclubs van Engeland te verslaan en weer kampioen te worden.
Kanu is van mening dat Arsenal een sterke selectie heeft en dat met de juiste mentaliteit en focus, ze in staat zijn om de concurrentie aan te gaan met teams als Manchester City, Liverpool en Chelsea. Hij moedigt de spelers aan om hard te blijven werken en te geloven in zichzelf, omdat hij ervan overtuigd is dat ze het potentieel hebben om grote dingen te bereiken.
Met Kanu’s steun en vertrouwen in spelers als Saka en Balogun, evenals in het team als geheel, kunnen de Gunners zich gesteund voelen in hun streven naar succes in de Premier League. Het belooft een spannend seizoen te worden voor Arsenal-fans, met hoop op een mogelijke titelwinst en nieuwe records die gebroken kunnen worden door de opkomende talenten van de club.
