The Frenchman introduced the ex-Nigeria international to England in the course of the 1998-99 season.
Kanu moved to North London from Inter Milan for a reported £4.15 million fee.
He additionally bagged a 15-minute hat-trick against Chelsea in October 1999.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named Nwankwo Kanu as his greatest signing. In the course of the season during his 22-year spell with the Gunners.
Kanu moved to North London from Inter Milan for a reported £4.15 million price in 1999. Instantly established himself within the team.
He came off the bench to make a major influence in first few outings for the Gunners. With goals towards Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute.
He additionally bagged a 15-minute hat-trick against Chelsea in October 1999. Which helped Arsenal flip around a two-goal deficit to claim a 3-2 win.
In his first full season with the Gunners, the ex-Nigeria forward scored 17 goals in 50 matches. He helped them to a runners-up finish in the Uefa Cup.
When quizzed about the very best transfer he made in January, Wenger picked Kanu – who he described as an enormous player – ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Whom he signed from Borussia Dortmund for a then club-record fee in January 2018.
“What a difficult question. Over 20 years, maybe Kanu. In the middle of the season. That had a big impact and he was a huge player,” he told beIN Sport.
Kanu was a preferred figure at Arsenal throughout his five-and-a-half years at the club, winning a number of individual and team laurels before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2004.
He was part of the Invincible team that received the 2003-04 Premier League title without losing a game and likewise received two FA Cups.
Wenger is at the moment working as Fifa’s Chief of Global Football Development after leaving Arsenal in 2018.
He disclosed that he’s not in favour of the January transfer window, and he thinks it ought to be scrapped.
“No, I am not. Because I think it is like a race in a marathon where you change the shoes halfway,” he added.
“It is not right, when once you have started the season, you have to finish the season with the same players.
“Or you keep it open the whole season like it was when I arrived in England. They have chosen a rule that is not right.”
