Arsene Wenger names Nigerian as his best Arsenal January signing
Arsene Wenger has revealed his best Arsenal signing of the January transfer window during his time as manager of the London club.
During his time at the club, the Frenchman made a number of January signings for the club who later proved to be decent buys.
One of those signings was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who still plays for the club.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 5-1 win over Everton, and by the end of the 2017/18 season had bagged 10 goals and four assists in his first 13 Premier League games.
The following season, he finished as joined-top scorer after netting 22 goals — with Liverpool stars Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane sharing the award with the Gabon international.
And this season, he’s the Gunners top scorer and second top finisher in the Premier League with 17 goals.
Arguably Arsenal’s best acquisition since January 2018, the 30-year-old would seem the clear choice.
But Wenger, who reiterated his disapproval of the winter transfer window, overlooked Aubameyang when asked to name his best January signing.
The legendary boss picked former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu ahead of the Gabonese — something that would surprise many.
Other January signings who went on to impress during Wenger’s reign include Andre Arshavin, Emmanuel Ebuo, Theo Walcott, and Emmanuel Adebayo.
Responding to the question by beIN Sports, the Frenchman said: “Maybe (Nwankwo) Kanu. In the middle of the season. That had a big impact and he was a huge player.”
Wenger signed the Nigerian on New Year’s Day 21 years ago, and it proved an astute move, with Kanu scoring seven goals and two assists in just five starts that season.
Joining the club from Ajax in 1999, Kanu helped the north London side to two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, before leaving for West Brom five years later.
Despite scoring just 44 goals in 197 appearances, he was popular with fans, and in 2008 was voted 13th in the ‘Gunners’ Greatest 50 Players’ poll.