Soccer: Gunners face battle over Kanu

ARSENAL are facing a potential battle with Nigeria over Kanu’s release date for the African Nations’ Cup finals.

Arsene Wenger had been hoping Kanu would be allowed to join up with his international team-mates on January 18 after his side's Barclaycard Premiership fixture at Aston Villa.

After all, with Sylvain Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp ruled out of action for at least another 10 days, they are set to miss Arsenal's next three games against Everton, Middlesbrough and Villa.