Arsenal shared an epic hat-trick goal throwback video of one of their former star players, Kanu Nwankwo to celebrate his 43rd birthday today.

Kanu Nwankwo And Arsenal

In February 1999, after just twelve games and one goal for Inter, Kanu was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut for Arsenal, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup. With the score 1–1 and ten minutes to go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out of touch so that treatment could be given to Lee Morris. When the ball was thrown back into play by Ray Parlour, although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased the throw-in down the right wing unchallenged and centered the ball for Marc Overmars, who scored to make the match 2–1. After the match, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger accepted that it was not correct sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match which was again won by Arsenal.

Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu's career was quickly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the club in the next round of the cup against Derby County, coming off the bench to net the only goal of the game. He quickly became known for his goal scoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute. He became very popular among the fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough – something that he later explained was based on the team's nickname, The Gunners.

Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a bid from Fulham of around £7m for Kanu. However, Kanu's appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, particularly after the emergence of Thierry Henry as Arsenal's first choice striker with Kanu being mainly used as a substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal.

Along with other famous players, such as Henry and Robert Pires, Kanu is a member of the "Invincibles", the Arsenal side that finished the 2003–04 season of the Barclays Premier League undefeated. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In the summer of 2004, after his contract with Arsenal ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll.

In the summer of 2006, Kanu played as a guest for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game, the first match to be played in Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored the winning goal, making him the third person to score in the stadium. At the end of the match, Kanu joined the rest of the Arsenal side in hoisting the retired Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation. He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium.

"Another year. I thank God for this day. I will keep working hard for others.
#august1 #birthday #kanuheartf #thankgod" - Kanu Nwankwo as he marks his birthday

Watch the epic video after the cut

Source: http://www.thefamousnaija.com/2019/08/arsenal-celebrates-kanu-nwankwos-43rd.html?m=1

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Watch the video HERE

Legend

King Kanu!!!

Come join us for the party.

Venue: Lekki garden estate

Dress normal, no come dey do like ajepaco for here

Legend

Happy birthday bro

legend

Legendary KANU

Hbd

Legendary kanu Nwankwo

The only true legend I know. Papilo one day u go make us proud. Indeed u made us proud. My respect Sir

Such a young man

Happy birthday Papilo! Thank you for ur contributions to the beautiful game of soccer

Ancestor & indomie Generations knew about this advert

Happy birthday to a true Lengend of the game. May your days be long on the face of the Earth. Since you left the Super Eagles, we have not been able to see another creative footballers with those magical touches on the ball with clinical finishes. Thanks to you for those wonderful years playing for Nigeria.
Happy birthday "Papilo"

legend

Congratulations

Hbd Papilo ....

You need a wedding photography discount, check my signature

A legend will always be celebrated

This Jay Jay is very short o. See as he be like beta malt bottle

Kanu is my greatest Nigerian player. Very civil Man.

94,96 Set of Super Eagles the best ever. Kanu, Okocha, Finidi, Oliseh, Siasia, Keshi, Yekini, Peter Rufai, The two Uches, Okechukwu and Okafor. Not for getting Iroha, Ikpeba, Dan the Bull Amokachi, Amunike etc!

This guy may likely succeed Garnet Rohr after his contract expires.

He seems to be the most liked ex foot baller and enjoys the support of NFA.