KANU NWANKWO: THE “ARSENAL INVINCIBLE” THAT DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED

KANU NWANKWO: THE “ARSENAL INVINCIBLE” THAT DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED

As Arsenal fans in Nigeria roll out the drums to celebrate the 2025/2026 Premier League title and luckily the UEFA Champion League, if they beat PSG at tomorrow’s final which is possible, one Nigerian that deserves to be celebrated and accorded recognition is former Super Eagles forward and one of Arsenal Invincibles, Kanu Nwankwo popularly known as Papillo.

There is no gainsaying that many Nigerians who are fanning Arsenal Football Club today were endeared to the team when Kanu Nwankwo held sway as one of the top strikers in the English Premiership club side.

Records has it that Papillo did not only played at the Club but he left indelible footprints at Highbury that made him one of the greatest players in the history of the English football club side. No wonder that he was voted as No. 13 in the list of 50 Arsenal best players known as “Arsenal Invincibles.” Papillo records in the Club has been acknowledged by Arsenal fans and is open for public scrutiny.

In February 1999, Kanu was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut for Arsenal against Sheffield United in the FA Cup. With the score 1–1 and ten minutes to go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out of touch so that treatment could be given to Lee Morris. When the ball was thrown back into play by Ray Parlour, although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased the throw-in down the right wing unchallenged and centered the ball for Marc Overmars, who scored to make the match 2–1. After the match, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger accepted that it was not correct sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match which was again won by Arsenal.

Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu’s career was quickly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the club in the next round of the cup against Derby County, coming off the bench to net the only goal of the game. He quickly became known for his goal scoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute. He became very popular among the fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough – something that he later explained was based on the team’s nickname, The Gunners.

Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. 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. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a bid from Fulham of around £7m for Kanu. However, Kanu’s appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, particularly after the emergence of Thierry Henry as Arsenal’s first choice striker with Kanu being mainly used as a substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal. 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 2004, after his contract with Arsenal ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the “Gunners’ Greatest 50 Players” poll.

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. At the end of the match, Kanu joined the rest of the Arsenal side in hoisting the retired Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation. He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium. During his time with the club, he wore the number 25 shirt.

Kanu Nwankwo is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward. A member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’, he was named by the club as one of its greatest ever players. Kanu is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He was a member of the Nigeria national team, and played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Kanu also played for Ajax and Inter Milan before spending the rest of his career in England, playing for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

Kanu won a UEFA Champions League medal, an Intercontinental Cup, two Premier League titles, three Eredivisie, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and an Olympic gold medal. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.

Born on 1 August 1976 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. He made his Ajax debut that year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a substitute in Ajax’s 1995 UEFA Champions League final 1–0 win over AC Milan. The next year, Ajax reached the final again, but lost to Juventus on penalties. Kanu started and played the entirety of that match.

International Career

Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team from 1994 to 2011, making his debut in a friendly against Sweden. Earlier on at the start of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria’s overall success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final. With five goals, he was the second joint-scorer in the tournament with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compatriot and captain Wilson Oruma.

As well as winning the Olympic gold in the football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil, his second goal of the match, Kanu participated at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria’s exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Super Eagles lost their group matches against Argentina and Greece, before drawing 2–2 with South Korea. He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th cap. Despite being a striker, he wore the number 4 shirt for the national team.

Despite his physical strength, slender frame, and large stature of 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was a talented player, who was quick and elegant in possession, and who possessed an excellent touch on the ball and nimble footwork; he was also highly regarded in the media for his technical skills, dribbling ability, and close control, as well as his flair and use of feints, which made him an unpredictable player on the pitch. He was also an intelligent player, who possessed good vision and movement, as well as being a good passer, who had the ability to read the game and an eye for the final ball, which – along with his timing and finishing ability – allowed him both to score and create goals.

Although he was often deployed as a striker, his creativity also allowed him to operate in a more withdrawn attacking role behind or supporting the main striker, or even in an advanced playmaking role. Although his height made him a strong presence in the air, he was more adept at scoring with his feet than with his head, despite his size, although he improved upon his aerial game in his later career. He was also known for his determination and ability to hold-up the ball with his back to goal. Moreover, his ability to score decisive goals when coming off the bench earned him a reputation as a “super sub” in the media during his time with Arsenal. However, despite being a gifted player, he was also known for being inconsistent, and his congenital heart defect is thought to have had a negative impact on his career and fitness, although he was able to improve his stamina following corrective surgery through his training. He is considered by pundits to be one of the greatest African players of all time, and by some, as the greatest Nigerian player ever.

Philanthropy

Kanu’s own experience with a congenital heart defect moved him to set up the “Kanu Heart Foundation” in 2000, a foundation which aims to tackle homelessness, and which also built five hospitals in Africa to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them surgery. The Kanu Heart Foundation has spent about $4.2 million, an average of $10,000.00 per person, on surgeries outside Nigeria. Tackling homelessness in Africa, Kanu Heart Foundation has to date funded the construction of five hospitals across the continent to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them life-changing medical care.

Ubong Creativity David is an Akwa United and Super Eagles fan. He loves good football.

23 Oct 1999: Nwankwo Kanu and Thierry Henry (#14) of Arsenal celebrate Kanu’s 90th minute winner during the FA Carling Premier League match against Chelsea played at Stamford Bridge, London. The game finished in 3-2 win for Arsenal. Mandatory Credit:Graham Chadwick /Allsport

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Nwankwo Kanu looks on as kids participates in the FIFA Legends Fan Activity as part of The Best FIFA Football Awards at Clapham Common on September 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

16 May 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal is dejected after losing the title during the FA Carling Premiership match against Aston Villa played at Highbury in London, England. The match finished in a 1-0 victory for Arsenal, however, they were unable to clinch the Premiership title. Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird /Allsport

5 May 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal celebrates during the FA Carling Premiership match against Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane in London, England. Arsenal won the game 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 1: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal in action during the FA Charity Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 1999 in London, England. Arsenal won 2-1. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

23 Oct 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal battles with Frank Leboeuf of Chelsea during the FA Carling Premier League match played at Stamford Bridge, London. The game finished in 3-2 win for Arsenal. Mandatory Credit: Graham Chadwick /Allsport

22 August 1999 – FA Premiership – Arsenal v Manchester United – An Arsenal wall of Thierry Henry, Nwankwo Kanu and Patrick Vieira. – (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)

1 Dec 2001: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal runs with the ball during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Ipswich Town played at Portman Road, in Ipswich, England. Arsenal won the match 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Clive Mason /Allsport

6 Mar 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal on the ball against Derby County in the FA Cup 6th round match at Highbury in London. Kanu scored the only goal in the last minute. Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird /Allsport

19 Apr 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal celebrates his goal during the FA Carling Premiership match against Wimbledon played at Highbury in London, England. The match finished in a 5-1 thrashing to the Arsenal. Mandatory Credit: Gary M Prior/Allsport

11 Aug 2001: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal passes the ball during the pre-season friendly match against Barnet played at Underhill, in London. Arsenal won the match 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport

LONDON, ENGLAND – October 18: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal kicking during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Highbury on October 18, 2003 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at the San Siro Stadium on November 25, 2003 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal is seen during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at the San Siro Stadium on November 25, 2003 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

1 Aug 1999: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal in action during the FA Charity Shield match against Manchester United played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The match finished in a 2-1 victory to the Arsenal. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport

5 Jan 2002: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal celebrates scoring the third goal during the AXA sponsored FA Cup third round match against Watford played at Vicarage Road, in Watford, England. Arsenal won the match 4-2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images

LONDON – 21 SEPTEMBER: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal celebrates his late winner during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Highbury in London on September 21, 2002. Arsenal won 2-1. (photo By Ben Radford/Getty Images)

6 Sep 2000: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal comes away with the ball as Dennis Wise of Chelsea challenges during the FA Carling Premiership match at Stamford Bridge, in London. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport

LONDON – OCTOBER 18: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal running with the ball during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Chelsea on October 18, 2003 at Highbury in London, England. Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON – 21 SEPTEMBER: Nwankwo Kanu of Arsenal celebrates his late winner during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Highbury in London on September 21, 2002. Arsenal won 2-1. (photo By Ben Radford/Getty Images)