Wenger brought the best out of me – Kanu

In from Ripples Nigeria

Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has credited his success at Arsenal to coach Arsene Wenger, especially his challenge with his health.

Speaking with ESPN, he 39-year-old, who won two EPL titles and two FA Cups, scoringg 44 goals added that Wenger helped turn his career around after he needed surgery for a heart defect, which derailed a three-year stint at Inter Milan.

“When I came over, I saw a good coach who saw the best in me. I was a good player because he made it easier for me to play,” Kanu adds.

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“Everybody believes that English football is all about playing the ball up, not keeping it on the ground, but Arsene has his own idea of football and it made it easier for us.

“He wanted us to play football the right way, he wanted us to enjoy it by passing the ball around and that’s what we did.”

Speaking further, Kanu believes his five-year stint in North London also helped in raising the profile of the Premier League in Africa.

“I believe I was the first [African] person who came to England and who did very well,” Kanu told the Arsenal website.

“After that, the doors were opened for African talents so, with Arsenal behind me and what we did with Arsenal, everybody now tends to follow the English league, and wants players to come and play in the English league.”

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