Kanu, Awoniyi: Five Super Eagles stars who have scored against Arsenal

Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman was in action for Atletico Madrid when they took on English giants Arsenal in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Going into the game, the 28-year-old was a key man to watch, as he had been brilliant since his transfer from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window. Lookman had contributed seven goals and four assists in 18 previous appearances.

​However, against the Gunners at the Metropolitano on Wednesday, he failed to deliver. And it wasn’t for lack of opportunities. The former Charlton man had some good looks at goal, but he fluffed his lines.

​It was not the first time that Lookman failed to score, however. Yesterday’s match was his sixth appearance against the Gunners. The previous five games he played were for Leicester City (1), Fulham (1), Everton (2), and Atalanta (1).

​But despite Lookman’s struggles against Arsenal, there are Super Eagles players who have found joy against the Gunners.

​In this article, Afrik-Foot highlights five Nigerians who have scored against the former Premier League champions.

​1. Yakubu Aiyegbeni

​The retired Super Eagles striker is the highest-scoring Nigerian in Premier League history, and Arsenal frequently felt the brunt of his clinical finishing during his playing days.

​Yakubu scored a whopping five goals and chipped in with one assist against the Gunners.

​Yakubu scored his first goal against the Gunners in a 1-1 draw for Portsmouth in May 2004. He scored the opener in the 30th minute before Jose Antonio Reyes equalized in the 50th minute.

​In September 2005, Yakubu returned to haunt the Gunners, this time in Middlesbrough colours. Playing at the Riverside Stadium, he scored the opener in the 40th minute before assisting Massimo Maccarone in the 59th minute to help his side to a 2-1 win.

​In February 2007, the former Nigerian marksman scored again for Middlesbrough against Arsenal to help them secure a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium.

​Yakubu’s last game against Arsenal was in September 2011, and he left with a bang. This time representing Blackburn Rovers, he scored a brace to help his side to a 4-3 win against the Gunners in what remains an all-time EPL highlight.

​Interestingly, Arsenal’s current coach Mikel Arteta also scored in that game.

​2. Nwankwo Kanu

​Retired Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu is an Arsenal cult hero, having contributed 44 goals and 38 assists in 197 appearances. But he later returned to haunt them.

​His first goal against Arsenal came in a Premier League game on October 15, 2005. He scored a 38th-minute goal for West Brom to spark a 2-1 comeback win at the Hawthorns.

​His second goal against the Gunners came in September 2007 for Portsmouth. He scored the consolation goal for Pompey in a 3-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates. Interestingly, Kanu’s goal was assisted by John Utaka.

​3. Odion Ighalo

​Odion Ighalo played in four games against Arsenal: three in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup.

​The Super Eagles striker scored only one goal against the Gunners. That came in March 2016 during an FA Cup tie for Watford. He scored the opening goal for the Hornets to help them seal a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

​4. Taiwo Awoniyi

​Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi also has a brilliant record against the Gunners. He has three goals against them, all of which have come for Nottingham Forest.

​His first strike against Arsenal was in May 2023 at the City Ground. He scored a 19th-minute goal for the Tricky Trees, which proved to be the difference after 90 minutes. It was a key goal in their successful push to stay in the Premier League that season.

​His second goal came in August 2023. He came off the bench in the 71st minute and scored in the 82nd minute, though Nottingham Forest eventually lost the game 2-1.

​Then, in January 2024, he scored against the Gunners again. Just like the previous meeting, he came off the bench to score, but the game ended 2-1 in favor of Arsenal.

​5. Tolu Arokodare

​Tolu Arokodare has also gotten his name on the scoresheet while playing against Arsenal. In fact, that happened this season.

​He scored for Wolverhampton Wanderers in a dramatic 2-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates in December 2025.