Kanu Nwankwo pays tribute to Arsene Wenger who believed in him when no else did after his operation
Arsenal and Nigeria legend Nwankwo Kanu has paid tribute to departing Gunners coach Arsene Wenger.
After 22 years of service the Frenchman is leaving his post as Arsenal headcoach and Kanu Nwankwo who was one of the players trained by Arsene Wenger has hailed the tactician.
Nwankwo Kanu said the Frenchman was the only one who believed in him after his career threatening heart surgery nd owed him everything.
“He was like a father figure for all of us. For me, when I was at Inter Milan he did everything to try to get me to Arsenal for six months. That’s the kind of person you want to be and want to support,’’ Kanu told Arsenal official website.
“At the time, nobody believed in me. They were like, ‘You’re coming out from hospital, can you play football?’ But he believed in me and when I came here, I didn’t disappoint him.”
The Arsenal legend added: ‘’I love [the celebrations of him at the Emirates]. It’s a very good show of respect. I’ve seen a lot of people wearing red saying ‘Merci Arsène’.
“After the game, nobody left their seat. They’re all here to support him, say goodbye and thank him for all that he has done for the club.”
Kanu, a member of the Arsenal invicibles, won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his time at the London club.
