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The best 3 African players to ever represent Arsenal

By on November 11, 2019

Arsenal have had a number of African players over the years but here we take a look at the three best to ever wear the shirt. In no particular order….

Kolo Toure  – Ivory Coast, 2002-2009, 326 appearances, 14 goals

Toure arrived at Arsenal in 2002 as an energetic utility player after Arsene Wenger paid the ASEC Abidjan academy just £150,000 for his signature and it turned out to be one of his best pieces of business.

The Ivorian wasn’t blessed with huge amount of natural talent but he more than made up for it with sheer determination. Toure was converted into a centre-back by Wenger and quickly established himself as a regular in the starting eleven.

He will always be remembered at Arsenal as being a key part of the ‘Invincibles’ as Toure’s partnership with Sol Campbell was the foundation of a superb back four that led the club to our greatest ever achievement of winning the Premier League without losing a game.

Toure was quick, powerful and read the game well and he gave his all during his seven years in north London so he’ll always go down as one of the best Africans to play for the club.

Lauren – Cameroon, 2000-2007, 241 appearances, nine goals

Lauren joined Arsenal from Mallorca in 2000 as a defensive central midfielder but Wenger soon switched him to right-back and the Cameroonian international never looked back.

He was one of the most solid defenders you could ever come across and his brute force made him a formidable opponent for whoever Arsenal were playing. Lauren was a true leader and you wouldn’t want to mess with him!

Lauren was also part of the Invincibles side of 2004 and he went on to play over 240 times for Arsenal during a career that saw him win 2 Premier League titles and the FA Cup.

He also won consecutive African Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2000 and 2002 while also lifting Olympic Gold for his country and playing in two World Cups. A superb player who was one of our best ever right-backs.

Kanu – Nigeria, 1999-2004, 198 appearances, 44 goals

Nigeria have always been one of the top ranked African nations and regularly complete at World Cups. They have a legion of passionate fans who back them whenever they play, gambling their hard earned money as africacasinos.com/ng/betting-sites/ and travelling the globe to support the Super Eagles.

Many top players have played for Nigeria but arguably the best known is Kanu, who represented Arsenal for five years after joining the club in 1999 and he went on to score 44 goals for the Gunners.

Kanu was a giant for club and country, being named African Footballer of the Year on two occasions while he helped Arsenal win 2 Premier League titles and the FA Cup. He also won the European Cup, the UEFA Cup and Olympic Gold during an illustrious career.

Kanu was blessed with mesmerising skills that made him a fan fouvourite and he once scored a stunning hat-trick against Chelsea. One of the most naturally gifted players to ever represent Arsenal and easily one of the best Africans to play for the club.