Wenger names Kanu as his best January signing at Arsenal

Arsenal’s best ever manager and English Premier League legend, Arsene Wenger,  has named Nigeria’s  Nwankwo Kanu as his best January signing for Arsenal ahead of the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edu.

Kanu moved to the Gunners from Inter in a £4.15 million deal in February 1999 after he underwent a heart surgery. Wenger had earlier described the signing of recuperating Kanu as a gamble. It was a risk to sign a player diagnosed with an enlarged heart who nobody was sure will ever kick the ball again.

During his time at the club, the Nigerian striker helped Arsenal win two Premier League trophies and two FA Cups before he left to join West Brom in 2004.

Wenger had some success with signings in the winter period for Arsenal as Aubameyang hit the ground running following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 scoring on his debut against Everton, a game Arsenal won 5-1.

Nicolas Anelka, Edu and Kolo Toure, who was signed for just £150,000 in February 2002 after a short trial, also turned out to be pivotal players under Wenger who were signed midway through the season. But when asked to name his best January deal by beIN Sports, Wenger replied: ‘What a difficult question. Over 20 years… maybe Kanu.

‘In the middle of the season, that had a big impact and was a huge player.’ Wenger also revealed that he is against the principle of the January transfer window and would even prefer clubs to be allowed to sign players throughout the season. ‘I think it is like a race in a marathon where you change the shoes half way,’ said the former Arsenal manager.