Kanu Backs Arteta, Believes Arsenal Can Target Champions League Success
Retold by Oddsrama · 13 July 2026
Nwankwo Kanu, the Arsenal legend who delivered two Premier League titles and two FA Cups to the club, has publicly backed Mikel Arteta's vision for the Gunners, arguing the Spanish manager deserves far more recognition for what he has built. Speaking on Brila FM's breakfast show, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist pointed to Arteta's record of consecutive top-two finishes in the Premier League as proof of genuine managerial quality, a foundation that most managers would struggle to replicate.
Kanu acknowledged the visible progress Arsenal have made under Arteta's leadership but raised a fair point: the credit hasn't always matched the results. The club's attacking football and squad development have been plain to see, yet outsiders—and sometimes insiders—remain quick to judge the manager against an unrealistic standard. For betting markets, Arsenal's consistency in challenging for the title means their odds remain competitive across seasons, though backing them outright requires patience.
Looking at last season's Champions League campaign, Kanu was emphatic: Arsenal were the standout team in the competition. He praised their quality against elite opponents and believes the Gunners possessed the squad depth and tactical intelligence to have won the trophy itself. The Nigeria icon sees no reason why Arsenal cannot convert those impressive European showings into silverware in the near future, especially with continued squad strengthening.
With Arteta's project maturing and the team growing stronger each season, Kanu is convinced Arsenal will be even more formidable moving forward. The foundations are cemented; now comes the crucial task of landing the major trophies—particularly the Champions League—that would justify the investment and prove Arteta's entire overhaul was worth the journey.
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