8. Kanu
(Nigeria. 1999 - 2004. 198 Appearances, 44 Goals) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA6GlpqmVjY Recruited by Arsenal in 1999, the lanky Nigerian forward dazzled the Highbury faithful for five highly successful years. With great close control, silky skills and the ability to leave defenders dumbfounded with brilliant trickery, Kanu enjoyed many great moments in an Arsenal shirt. He also had a knack for scoring spectacular goals, especially his third in a game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1999. Already bringing the Gunners back from 2-0 down, Kanu completed his hat-rick by curling the ball home from an impossible angle next to the corner flag after Chelsea keeper De Goey mistakenly raced off of his goal line. Winning two league titles and two FA Cups during his time in North London, Kanu is surely the best ever (certainly the most loved) African footballer to play for Arsenal.