Arsene Wenger has paid tribute to the host of African footbalers who have helped him to become the most celebrated manager in Arsenal’s history.
The long-serving Frenchman is celebrating 20 years in charge of the north London club at which he has brought through a number of exciting talents, including the likes of Nwankwo Kanu and Kolo Toure.
The emergence of Nigeria international Alex Iwobi has represented one of the more uplifting aspects of Arsenal’s recent surge back up the Premier League table and Wenger believes the talented forward shares many of the qualities his predecessors exhibited.
‘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 told Arsenal.com.
‘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.’
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