He's only 25, and has won the same number of caps including in the winning squads at the 2000 Olympics and the African nations cup at the start of 2002.

It's a very young age to be quitting the international scene. Of course, there should be enough years left in his career for a change of heart, but he says not to count on it. He wants to put his Arsenal career first, and playing for an African country does seem to disrupt that somewhat.

It's not done us that much harm though. One could argue that without his international experience, he'd never have become the player he is. The practice he's got taking penalties for them certainly came in handy against Tottenham last year!