Top 5 African Footballers to Play For Arsenal, From Toure to Adebayor

Top 5 African Footballers to Play For Arsenal, From Toure to Adebayor

  • Many African footballers have worn the famous Arsenal colours over the years and left their mark
  • Many African players played for the Gunners during one of their most successful periods in the 20002
  • Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu is arguably the best African footballer to wear Arsneal's colours

Africa has been well-represented in the Premier League since its inception in the early 1990s.

By the turn of the millennium, African players had become key players in teams fighting for titles and survival.

Arsenal had a legend like Kanu, who helped them win their last Premier League title in 2004.

Kolo Toure is one of Africa's best players to play for Arsenal
Kolo Toure was a key player for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. Photo by Ryan Pierse.
Source: UGC

The Gunners were at their peak in the late and early 2000s. They won league titles and FA Cups during that time under Arsene Wenger.

Kanu8 and other African stars contributed to that success. Here are the top 5 Africans to play for Arsenal, per Planet Football.

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Top Africans to play for Arsenal

5. Emmanuel Adebayor

The Togolese legend scored many goals for the Gunners, but some feel he tainted his legacy when he joined Manchester City in 2009. He scored 62 goals including 30 in the 2007/08 season when they challenged for the Premier League.

He left his mark at the Emirates, but fans will always view him as a villain, especially after his infamous celebration against them.

4. Lauren

The Cameroon legend was an unsung hero for the Gunners in the early 2000s. He was part of the Invincible team. His penalty against Tottenham Hotspur in 2002 and his verbal exchange with Ruud Van Nistelrooy make him a legend at the club.

Lauren also won two AFCON titles with Cameroon and the Olympic gold medal.

3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018 from Borussia Dortmund and was an instant hit. The Gabon star arrived in the final season of legendary manager Arsene Wenger. Aubameyang excelled, winning an FA Cup and a Premier League Golden Boot.

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He fell out with current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in 2022 and never played for the club again. He bagged 92 goals in 163 appearances, the most by an African in the club's history.

2. Kolo Toure

The Ivorian was a key player under Arsene Wenger in the 2000s. He was part of the team that won the league title unbeaten in 2004 and three FA Cups. Toure made 326 appearances for the Gunners and is considered a legend at the club despite leaving to join Manchester City.

1. Nwankwo Kanu

The Nigerian forward is, without a doubt, the best African to wear Arsenal colours. He arrived at Ar4senal in 1999 and went on to produce several legendary performances under Arsene Wenger. He left in 2004 after winning the Premier League twice in 2002 and 2004.

Kanu made 197 appearances for Arsenal and registered 44 goals and 34 assists. Who can forget that hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in 1999?

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Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Viginia Akinyi avatar

Viginia Akinyi (sports editor) Viginia Akinyi is the current import editor at Briefly News. She holds a B.Sc. in Communication and Public Relations from Moi University and has previously worked with Lolwe TV, Daily Nation Eldoret Bureau and SportsBrief.com. Email: viginia.akinyi@briefly.co.za