Gunners to lose Kanu for Olympics

Kanu (right): Captained Nigeria to 1996 Olympic gold

Arsenal look set to lose striker Nwankwo Kanu for part of the start of next season after he was chosen to represent Nigeria at the Sydney Olympics.

Kanu has been named as one of Nigeria's over-aged players in their under-23 Olympic team.

The news is likely to concern Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who struggled in vain to prevent Kanu playing in the African Cup of Nations in January.

But Kanu was delighted to be given the opportunity.

"I have played at the Olympics before and would love to play there again," he said.

Kanu captained Nigeria to gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 as they beat Argentina 3-2 in the final.

Nigeria's coach Jo Bonfrere thinks his side unlikely to repeat their Atlanta heroics in Sydney, saying they lack the motivation they had four years ago.