NIGERIAN teenager Kelechi Nwakali has revealed that uncle and Gunners legend Nwankwo Kanu convinced him to join the club.
The Nigerian teenager signed a five-year deal at Arsenal last summer and has spent the season out on loan with Dutch side MVV Maastricht.
Nwakali can play in a variety of positions including attacking midfield and wide-right, and could find himself in the first-team picture shortly.
A number of clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City were after his signature, but it’s now emerged that old hero Kanu helped get a deal over the line for Arsenal.
Speaking to Goal, Nwakali said: “Kanu called me and said Arsenal wanted me; that the boss called him about me.
“He’s been my mentor, a brother and a friend. He advised me to go and develop and prove who I am. He is my mentor and a friend. He calls me every day and I get advice from him all the time.
“From a young age I’ve dreamt of playing for Arsenal. I think God made it easy for me because that has been my dream team.”