Keown and Kanu exit confirmed

Arsenal have confirmed that former England international Martin Keown and Nigerian Kanu will leave the club, naming the pair on a list of 17 players they have released.

The two senior players will leave Highbury along with Sylvain Wiltord, who had already announced his decision to move on, and Igor Stepanovs, who spent the past season on loan at Belgian club Beveren.

Keown has been one of the mainstays of the Gunners defence since joining the club for a second time from Everton in 1993.

Keown, who also had a spell with Aston Villa, featured in three title-winning teams and won 43 England caps.

Kanu made an instant impact after being signed by Arsene Wenger from Inter Milan five years ago.

The Nigerian’s trickery made him an hit with fans but, like Keown, he had struggled to command a regular starting place in recent seasons.

France striker Wiltord had become a peripheral figure and Latvian international Stepanovs was allowed to leave on loan last August.

Reserve goalkeeper Rami Shaaban also departs along with several other players outside the first-team picture