# Who is the best African player in Arsenal history?

> Arsenal have a rich history of African talent, from Kanu's magic on the wing to the powerful midfield presence of Emmanuel Petit-era teammates, with players from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and across Africa gracing Highbury and the Emirates.

*By YPB Team · Published April 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-african-player-in-arsenal-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Nwankwo Kanu**
   Nigeria's two-time African Player of the Year who delivered brilliant moments including an iconic FA Cup hat-trick during his five-year Arsenal stint from 1999.
2. **Kolo Toure**
   Ivory Coast center-back who made 326 appearances across seven seasons, an unsung hero of the legendary 2003-04 Invincibles.
3. **Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang**
   Gabon striker who scored 92 goals in 162 appearances, captained the club and led Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2020.
4. **Lauren**
   Cameroon right-back who was the defensive cornerstone of the 2003-04 Invincibles, winning the Premier League and multiple FA Cups.
5. **Thomas Partey**
   Ghana's tenacious defensive midfielder who has been Arsenal's midfield anchor since 2020, vital in their Premier League title challenges.
6. **Emmanuel Adebayor**
   Togo striker who scored 62 goals in 142 appearances from 2006 to 2009, proving himself one of the Premier League's most prolific forwards.
7. **Alex Song**
   Cameroon midfielder who developed under Arsene Wenger from 2005 to 2012, becoming a reliable box-to-box player before his move to Barcelona.
8. **Emmanuel Eboue**
   Ivory Coast defender and winger who gave energetic performances across six seasons at the Emirates from 2005.
9. **Gervinho**
   Ivory Coast winger known for his electric pace and direct style during his two-year stint at Arsenal from 2011.
10. **Nicolas Pepe**
   Ivory Coast winger who arrived for a club-record £72m in 2019, bringing dazzling dribbling ability to the Emirates over three seasons.
11. **Mohamed Elneny**
   Egypt midfielder who has served Arsenal with tireless commitment since 2016, a versatile presence in the heart of midfield.

Tags: africa, sports, football, players, champions league, british