Nigerian football icon, Nwankwo Kano, on Saturday proved that age has not taken away his attacking prowess as he scored a hat trick for Arsenal Legendsagainst AC Milan Glorie.
The game ended 4-2 in favour of the Arsene Wenger-led side.
Kanu, who had thought he was part of the first eleven, came off the bench in the 25th minute to score the first goal for Arsenal 2 minutes later.
Vieiri made it 1-1 for Milan in the 37th minute, and a header from Kanu in the 67th minute put Arsenal on the lead again.
Kanu completed his hat trick with a penalty kick in the 79th minute. Pires scored the fourth for Arsenal 5 minutes later. Vieiri made it two in the 88th minute after a rebound kick following the penalty save by Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Lehman.
Speaking after the sensational game, Arsenal’s coach, Wenger said:
The surprise was Kanu, because nobody knew where he played and he turned up with something special again. Players like Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires are still completely fit, and Kolo Toure, I’m not surprised about because he still plays for Celtic.
The class has not gone, the quality has not gone – the legs a little bit! But not too much. They had enough resources to make the game enjoyable. It is a great afternoon and that shows our values at the club because we raised one million pounds for the charity and we can be very proud of that.
Fans took to Twitter to hail the former Super Eagles player, adding that Wenger should replace his current striker, Olivier Giroud, with Kanu.
I would still have Kanu over Giroud. Form is temporary, class is permanent
I think I speak for everyone when I say: sign Kanu.
Kanu Nwanwko should get a new Arsenal contract.#AFCLegends
Retired Kanu still has more pace and is still more clinical than Giroud.
Wenger sign him up on a free bikonu
Kanu has gone for 12 years and has come and scored a hat Trick at the Emirates ahead of Giroud #ArsenalLegends
Kanu looking more of a threat than Giroud and Walcott put together #ArsenalLegends
Watch the highlights of the game below:
Photo Credit: Twitter – @Arsenal