See African Players that influence my career-wenger

– Arsene Wenger admits African players have been helpful in his career

– The Gunners boss hailed Nwankwo Kanu’s contribution to Arsenal

– Kanu, Adebayor, George Weah, are Africans who have played under Wenger

Arsene Manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the influence of African players on his successful managerial career.

The Gunners boss has coached the likes of AS Monaco and Arsenal in Europe and as he celebrates his 20th year with the latter, Wenger says African players have had a telling influence on his career.

One of the players with the biggest impact early on was Nwankwo Kanu, the Nigerian became the first African to play for Arsenal and he went on to make a name for himself as well as helping the club win a host of trophies and Premier League titles.

‘HIS QUOTE’

“African players had a massive impact on my career because I always managed them right from the moment I started in the top league in France,” Wenger was quoted by the club’s website.

“I had African players at Monaco and I like the fact that they were creative and they are usually attacking players with imagination. They have pace and power as well, and they usually combine strength and agility well.

That’s very difficult to find.

“Africans are hugely passionate people and there is a big passion in Africa for the game.

They are happy on the football pitch and that’s something which has been fantastic for us.

“Kanu had a massive impact here, Kolo Toure too, I had George Weah too… so all these players had a massive impact.”

Asides Kanu, other African players to have played under Wenger include Emmanuel Adebayor, Christopher Wreh, Lauren, Alexander Song, Emmanuel Eboue, Marouane Chamakh and Emmanuel Frimpong a Alex Iwobi and Mohamed El Nenny are the two key African players in the current Arsenal squad.