Nwankwo Kanu: How Nigerian Superstar Became Legend at English Premier League Club Arsenal

• Nwankwo Kanu is still very much revered among Arsenal fans following his impact during his six-year reign at the club
• The Nigerian legend was part of the history-making squad that won the Premier League unbeaten during the 2003-2004 season
• Here we dissect how the superstar moved from Inter Milan to become a club legend at Arsenal

Nigerian superstar Nwankwo arrived in England in 1999 from Italian club Inter Milan for a fee of around £4.15 million and then went on to become a legend.

To date, the former forward is still loved among Arsenal fans, as he was also a member of the Invincibles squad.

He made a debut against Sheffield United in an FA Cup clash and made an assist for Marc Overmars, who sealed a 2-1 win.

Arsene Wenger later admitted that it was a controversial goal and the match had to be replayed – the Gunners won again.

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Kanu’s impact at Arsenal

The Nigerian international opened his goal account for the club in the next round of the FA Cup against Derby County, coming off the bench to score the game's only goal.

He became popular after coming off the bench to score against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, GOAL reports.

Later that year, he was named the African Footballer of the Year for the second time after finishing the season with 17 goals in 50 matches.

15-minute hat-trick vs Chelsea

His best performance for the Gunners came in October 1999 when he produced one of the Premier League's iconic moments.

It only took the forward 15 minutes to help his side from two goals down to a 3-2 win over Chelsea.

Coming off the bench, Kanu dragged Arsenal back into the match with two neat finishes, then scored a stunning winner.

After blocking a clearance, the Nigerian, virtually on the touchline, dribbled past the onrushing Ed de Goey and finished from a seemingly impossible angle.

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Kanu Arsenal stats

He was part of the squad that won the league during the 2001/2002 and 2003/2004 seasons. Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the 2003/2004 season, and the squad was branded invincibles.

Kanu scored 44 goals in 198 appearances in his six years with the London club.

He left for West Brom before joining Portsmouth in 2006, where he would go on to score the winning goal in the 2008 FA Cup final.

Two Premier League titles, Two FA Cups and One FA Community Shield.

Kanu, wife celebrate 19th Wedding Anniversary

Sports Brief earlier reported that a heartwarming video was spotted on social media where former Arsenal and Super Eagles striker Nwankwo Kanu celebrated his wife Amara on their 19th wedding anniversary.

This is a significant accomplishment for the Nigerian football legend and his wife, who have been blessed with children and live happily.

According to Amara's video on her Instagram page, Kanu presented her with a gift while they both had a good time together.