Arsenal block Kanu

Arsene Wenger has put himself on a collision course with the Nigerian FA after confirming he will delay the release of Nwankwo Kanu for African Nations Cup duty.

The Nigerians wanted their squad to meet at a training camp next Sunday but Wenger and Arsenal have checked the rules thoroughly and insist that they need not let Kanu join up until six days before the start of the competition on 24 January.

That could be of great interest to Tottenham in their dispute with Freddie Kanoute. It is possible the Spurs' top scorer could join up with Mali before Saturday's game at Leeds.

With both Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord suffering from injuries that will keep them out for at least ten days, Arsenal faced the prospect of entering a crucial period of games without two established and experienced members of their strike force.

Kanu will now join up with Nigeria after the game against Aston Villa on January 18 - right on the six-day deadline.

"The rules are clear," said Wenger ahead of tonight's clash with Everton at Goodison Park. "He has to be at the disposal of the Nigerian team six days before the start."

Told that the Nigerians wanted Kanu this coming Sunday, Wenger added: "They always agree what they like. We will respect the rules.

"We also respect that he has to play for his country but we want to keep the players as long as we can."

In the absence of Bergkamp and Wiltord, Kanu is certain to figure at Everton as Arsenal return to the ground where they lost their unbeaten league record last season.