Arsenal players who lit up the Africa Cup of Nations

Arsenal players who lit up the Africa Cup of Nations

By Jonny Bray
Arsenal have a proud history of players representing their country at the Africa Cup of Nations. 
In recent years, the Gunners have had players in every position perform exceptionally well at the tournament, with some even going on to win it. 
So, which Arsenal stars have lit up the Africa Cup of Nations? 
It's time to look at which players have truly gone and made the tournament their own. 

Alex Song (2008)

Alex Song was just about to reach his prime at the start of 2008. 
And that year's Africa Cup of Nations was the moment when the Cameroonian showed what he could do on the international stage. 
His side finished second as Egypt took their sixth title that year, but he was one of the competition's stand out players. 
He was included in the team of the tournament and went on to be a star for Arsenal over the next four years. 
That culminated in an iconic 2011/12 campaign that saw him record 11 assists before moving to Barcelona. 
One thing's for sure, Song wouldn't have been the player he was for Arsenal were it not for the experience and confidence he gained with Cameroon in 2008 

Lauren (2002)

One player who did lift the Africa Cup of Nations title with Cameroon was Lauren. 
He was a crucial part of the side that beat Senegal on penalties in 2002. 
The invincible scored a vital penalty to help his side become champions in a team spearheaded by the legendary Samuel Eto'o. 
He did well to keep a clean sheet against a Senegal team that included Premier League favourite Papa Bouba Diop and villain El Hadji Diouf. 
And throughout the tournament, he was one of Cameroon's best players, then after winning it all on the international stage, the defender went on to achieve great things with the Gunners. 
He was part of the Invincible side of 03/04, playing a crucial role at right-back and staying with the club until 2007. 

Gervinho (2012)

He was often the subject of ridicule at The Emirates, but some of the criticism of Gervinho was completely unfair. 
He was a solid player at Arsenal and impressed in Serie A and on the international stage with Côte d'Ivoire. 
His finest moment with his country came in 2012 despite his side being on the wrong size of a shock result in the final. 
He scored one of his greatest ever goals in the semi-final against Mali and went on to be included in the team of the tournament. 
However, he missed the decisive spot-kick in the final against Zambia, the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding month. 
He would leave Arsenal a year later, but it's about time more Gunners fans put some respect on the man's name. 

Emmanuel Eboué (2006)

Prior to the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, most Arsenal fans would have bet on Kolo Touré starring in the Côte d'Ivoire defence.
However, it was Emmanuel Eboué who truly showed his quality at that tournament.
Alongside the Touré brothers and Didier Drogba, Eboué helped take his team to the final, where they fell to Egypt on penalties.
To show just how good he was at that competition, he was named in a team of the tournament that featured only one of his countrymen, Drogba.

Photo Credit: Getty Image

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