Over the years many Africans have travelled far and wide in search for greener pastures as footballers.
Bridging the gap of poverty and inspiring other Africans have been key as many talents have graced elite football leagues. From England to Italy to France, Spain and Portugal and many other countries and continents.
Arsenal Football Club have had a share of some amazing African players and still enjoy a number of them in the person Mohammed El Neny, Alex Iwobi and some others in the youth ranks.
As today marks the celebration of the African continent, let us take a look at some players to have distinguished themselves for the Arsenal shirt over the last two decades.
There have been many African failures, and many bright young things with origins on the continent who ultimately struggled to live up to the great expectations that accompanied the early stages of their career as professional footballers.
Some players like Fabrice Muamba and Armand Traore managed to play regular Premier League football elsewhere after they weren’t able to prove themselves at the club, whereas others, such as Gilles Sunu and Emmanuel Frimpong, may still pull through in the club, although they are away from north London.
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Marouane Chamakh have all left the club as flops who couldn’t live up to the expectation and hype duly accorded them.
Some others are in the youth ranks and dream of making it big in the English Premier League. And some with African decent but are English international will perhaps blossom and become African stars in the future with Eddie Nketiah leading the pack.
Albiet the flaws and failures and hope of some African players who could and can be heroes here are some players who enjoyed a much impressive career at Arsenal.
6. Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong:(Cameroon, 2005-2012, 218 appearances, 10 goals)
The former Gunner who currently plays for FC Sion was once a pivotal player in the Arsenal lineup in the days of Arsene Wenger.
The versatile midfielder after seven years at the club moved to Barcelona after he had a very impressive turn around in the midfield as he played well in every department of the midfield.
He was soon forgotten although though he won major silverware with the Catalan Giants but was not up to the task of climbing to the status of a club legend.
His career took a turn after after his stint in Barcelona but he will be well remembered for his playing days at the Emirates.
5. Kolo Toure: (Ivory Coast, 2002-2009, 326 appearances, 14 goals)
Forget his sticky spell at Liverpool, Kolo is a proper Gunner and a very good defender who enjoyed much success at Highbury.
He is an enshrined member of the “Invicibles” who completed a season without a single defeat in the league. He is also a part of Arsenal’s last team to play in an European match final where they lost to Barcelona in 2006 in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Ivorian who Wenger scouted from the famous ASEC Abidjan academy, and while he’s not always considered among the Frenchmans finest purchases, he represents what value for money stands for as he was bought at £150,000.
He forged a beautiful partnership with Sol Campbell and was an instant hit at the back four in his days as a Gunner.
4. Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer AKA Lauren: (Cameroon, 2000-2007, 241 appearances, nine goals)
Lauren was a member of two great sides, that is Cameroon and Arsenal during his high times in his career as a footballer.
In the early 2000, he was a key figure in the Cameroon side that claimed consecutive Cup of Nations titles, an Olympic gold medal and featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups for the Indomitable Lions.
At the 2000 AFCON it was Lauren, the right-back, and none of the Indomitable Lions’ array of stars, who claimed the Player of the Tournament award as Ghana and Nigeria co-hosted that year’s tournament.
The second greatest side he played a part of was Arsenal’s legendary Invincibles team.
He won two EPL crowns with the Gunners and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2004 joining a plethora of stars to be be enshrined in that list.
He indeed enjoyed much success at the Highbury playing alongside Dennis Berkamp, Thierry Henry, Petit and a host of other great footballers to play for Arsenal.
3. Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor: (Togo, 2006-2009, 143 appearances, 62 goals)
The lanky Togolese striker is known for his goals-filled career in the English top division as gen played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs.
Although, somehow noted for his controversies and tantrums, he enjoyed spells of excellence during his time in North London. Netting 62 times for Arsenal
He scored 20 minutes into his debut, and would go on to become a fans’ favourite at the Emirates Stadium for a couple more years.
In 143 appearances for the club, he managed 62 goals, including a terrific 30 in 40 starts in the 2007/08 season.
His stint at theWhite Hart Lane was quickly a thing of the past Adebayor fell out with the fans, and it wasn’t long before he was on his way to Manchester City where he revived his career and bagged in more goals before calling it off in England.
Despite joining Arsenal’s arch rivals, his days at the Emirates will forever be cherished as he dazzled fans with his efforts on goal and his long strides towards goal.
2. Emmanuel Eboue: (Ivory Coast, 2005-2011, 217 appearances, 10 goals)
The Ivorian defender arrived a little too late to enjoy silverware at Arsenal but his six years of service is well respected. Although in the latter part of his career was disappointing and soon forgotten as his fell from hero to villain he still goes down as on the best Africans to play for Arsenal.
He moved from Arsenal to Galatasary in 2011 to redeem his falling career but was never to be the case as he quickly went down the drain although he won a lot of honours for the Turkish club.
1. Nwankwo Kanu: (Nigeria, 1999-2004, 198 appearances, 44 goals)
Nwankwo Kanu stands tall as his height as the greatest African player to ever play for Arsenal.
The Nigerian was named African Footballer of the Year on two occasions and also picked up the BBC’s own prize twice as well.
The individual awards honoured a very individual talent, one whose unpredictable, mesmerising skills made him a fan favourite at almost every club he played for including Arsenal.
He had an admirable scoring record at Ajax, and won the Champions League title with the club before moving the North London based club.
While at Arsenal, he won the Premier League twice and can look back on a career which includes the European Cup, the UEFA Cup, Olympic gold, the FA Cup and the English title.
His quick dribbling feet and eye for goal characterized his very personality as a leader on and off the pitch.
As Africa celebrates emancipation and growth, it is well in place to celebrate the very best of players to put on the Arsenal jersey for pride, honour and serving as an inspiration to many on the continent and beyond.