Former Super Eagles forward, Nwankwo Kanu, has disclosed that his participation in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations had an adverse effect on his playing time at Arsenal during the 2003/04 season.
Upon his arrival at Arsenal in the middle of the 1998/99 season, Kanu quickly established himself as a pivotal player, making significant contributions to the club’s successes.
As the Invincibles season approached, he had an impressive track record, having garnered three major honors for the Gunners and accumulating over 150 first-team appearances.
In January and February of 2004, Kanu represented Nigeria at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia, a tournament that would significantly impact the remainder of his Arsenal season.
Although the Super Eagles reached the semi-finals of the competition, ultimately securing the bronze medal, Kanu’s return to England saw him facing challenges in securing game time.
His appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League drastically reduced, as he only managed one more match in the EPL for the rest of the historic invincible season after playing in nine league matches prior to representing Nigeria at AFCON.
“It was difficult, because in a squad of so many good players, when you lose your place, it’s hard to get it back,” Kanu said on the club’s official website, arsenal.com.
“Obviously Arsenal did very well while I was away, so it was hard for me to get into the team again after going away.
“Sometimes it worked the other way, when you go away sometimes, they need you back in the team or need to change things, but this season they didn’t need to change anything.”
Kanu wrapped up his tenure with the Gunners, scoring 44 goals across 198 appearances in various competitions.
