IS KANU WORTHY OF GUNNERS PLACE?

KANU`S agent has denied reports that the player will quit the club if he does not get selected to play in the Champions League game against Lyon, but Opta decided to take a look to see if he is worth his place in the side.

The Nigerian international has been annoyed at being left out of the side and was not happy at remarks that he did not like playing in England's cold climate.

Although the Nigerian dribbler has started only four league games this season, it is worth looking at what he has done for The Gunners, in those appearances ‚Çô most as a substitute. It is fair to assume that Thierry Henry is the number one striker at Highbury, but does Kanu deserve a chance to partner the Frenchman?

After scoring six times in 1998-99 he doubled his tally last season. He recorded a goals-to-shots-ratio of 15% in 2000-01 which is better than Dennis Bergkamp this term, who has scored with only 7% of his efforts, and Sylvain Wiltord who has managed just 6%.

It is also worth noting that last season, only Marc Overmars ‚Çô who has since left to join Barcelona - made more dribbles than Kanu in the North Londoners' squad.

Although Kanu has scored only once this season, he has still been able to set up three goals for team-mates ‚Çô the same number as Wiltord and Bergkamp.

Some may argue that Kanu's flamboyance might be easy on the eye, but not as effective as a more pragmatic approach to attacking play. However, the former Internazionale striker has completed 74% of his passes in the opposition's half this season which is nine percentage points superior to Bergkamp this term and 10 better than summer signing Wiltord.

Some Arsenal fans might have been surprised that Kanu has featured so little in The Gunners` campaign, especially as player rotation appears to be the way forward with the number of games that top clubs are required to play.

In the Champions League ‚Çô where he tends to feature more due to Bergkamp refusing to fly - the leggy forward has set up two goals, scored twice for himself, and has embarked on 32 dribbles. Only four other players in the competition can better that tally of forward runs.

There is certainly a strong case for giving Kanu a run in the side as a strike partner to Henry. Although Bergkamp is clearly a class act and Wiltord may have won Euro 2000 for France, the Super Eagle can soar just as high as those that appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.