Arsenal's heartily relationship with the Nigerian FA is set to continue, as Kanu is picked to play in the Olympics as one of their overaged players. This means that Arsenal's only Olympic champion is set to defend the title in Australia in the beginning of September, just a few games into the new league season.

If Nigeria does well in the tournament, the talismanic striker can miss up to eight Arsenal games, including three ties in the UEFA Champions League.

Kanu himself is delighted to be given the opportunity. "I have played at the Olympics before and would love to play there again," he said. In 1996 he captained the Nigerian U23 side who beat Argentina 3-2 in the final.