Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has made a surprising revelation about his footballing roots.
The 37-year-old admitted that he grew up as an Arsenal fan, largely due to his admiration for two-time CAF Player of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu.
In a discussion on his ObiOne podcast, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner disclosed that his affection for the Gunners was deeply influenced by Kanu, who joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in 1999.
At that time, Mikel Obi was still honing his skills at the Pepsi Football Academy, playing as a number ten.
Mikel Obi: Kanu made me a Gunner
“Arsenal was my team growing up,” the Chelsea legend stated. “There’s no denying it. I was a huge fan of Arsenal, the way they played. Obviously, because they had Kanu, who was my idol.”
Mikel Obiwent on to reveal that despite becoming a Chelsea legend and developing a strong affinity for the Blues, his early footballing allegiance was firmly with Arsenal. In fact, his very first football shirt was that of the North London club.
“He was an inspiration to me,” he added. “Growing up, I supported Arsenal. The first shirt I had was Arsenal’s.”
Mikel Obi’s career took a significant turn in 2006 when he became embroiled in a highly publicized transfer saga between Manchester United and Chelsea.
Although Manchester United initially claimed to have signed the young Nigerian, the budding midfielder ultimately completed a move to Stamford Bridge, where he would go on to enjoy a glittering career.
During his 11-year stint with Chelsea, Mikel Obi won an array of honors, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the 2012 UEFA Champions League.
His legacy at Chelsea is firmly cemented, yet his latest admission highlights the deep connection he once had with Arsenal and his boyhood hero, Nwankwo Kanu.
