Nwankwo Kanu's deft skills with a ball often defy belief but they are skills which make him stand apart from most of his contemporaries.

The Arsenal star has found it difficult to claim a regular place in the English Premiership side, but that has not hindered his international career.

He came to prominence on the European stage when he helped Dutch side Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995.

Within 12 months he was a star of the international stage having helped Nigeria to gold at the Atlanta Olympics.

Kanu's talents were picked up by Italian Serie A club Inter Milan.

Heart surgery curtailed his progression up the football ladder, but he recovered and English Premiership giants Arsenal paid £4.5m for his services.