Nigeria have rejected another request from English club Arsenal for striker Nwankwo Kanu to be released for matches during the African Cup of Nations.

Injury problems mean Arsenal will have only 18-year-old debutant Graham Barrett available for a crucial league game against Manchester United.

Manager Arsene Wenger asked the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) if Kanu could fly back to London in between tournament matches.

Their reply was terse.

"Arsenal are irresponsible," said NFA chairman Anthony Williams.

"There's just no way we are going to release Kanu for any Arsenal game until after the championship.

"Once Kanu is in the Eagles' camp, he stays in camp."

Nigeria agreed to delay Kanu's departure so he could play in Arsenal's fourth round FA Cup match against Leicester, which ended in a draw.

The Gunners confirmed they made a second formal application for Kanu's release, for the FA Cup replay at Leicester on Wednesday and the Premiership trip to Old Trafford the following Monday.

Exceptional circumstances

"The appeal was due to the exceptional circumstances of the team's current striker problems with Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars both injured and Davor Suker due to be suspended," said a spokesperson.

"The club felt that they were totally within their rights to make the application but are obliged to the Nigerian FA's prerogative to retain the player."

Croatian star Suker is suspended for the game against Manchester United on Monday after collecting five yellow cards this season which leaves Thierry Henry as Arsenal's only available senior striker.

Unless manager Arsene Wenger makes a signing in the next few days, 18-year-old Irishman Graham Barrett, who has only eight minutes of first-team experience, is likely to make his full debut against United.