Henry: I Learned Dribbling From ‘Underrated’ Kanu, My Most Gifted African Teammate

France legend Thierry Henry says former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu is the most technically gifted African player he ever played with at Arsenal,
Henry revealed this at his unveiling as Guinness Nigeria PLC ambassador for the ‘Made of Black’ campaign which took place at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday.
Henry and Kanu joined Arsenal in 1999 (Kanu in February and Henry in August), and spent five years as teammates, winning two Premier League titles (2002 and 2004) and two FA Cups (2002 and 2003) together.

Kanu later moved to West Bromwich Albion in 2004, while Henry left Arsenal in 2007.

“First of all, let me say Lauren (Etame Mayer, former Cameroon international) was very good and I love Lauren to bits. But if you go down to technique, I have to give it to Kanu,” Henry confessed.
“It’s just the truth. Kanu was an underrated player, so humble, nice guy, everything about him was positive. We all know that famous turn (Kanu’s dribbling style) that he had, even watching him on television, I was learning (Kanu’s dribbling style). He was always good and a good guy too.

“Like I said, if we go down to technique, Kanu was very good. Kolo Toure was very tough, Lauren had good technique too until he was moved to right-back.”