Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud joined an exclusive club of players who have been subbed on at least a 100 times in the Premier League when he came in on 20 minutes for injured Tammy Abraham in the Blues tie against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
It is the sixth time the Frenchman would be subbed on for Chelsea in 13 appearances this term and 39 overall since he switched North London for West London in the 2017/2018 season. He spent six seasons at Arsenal, making 61 substitute appearances for the Gunners.
Giroud has now joined the trio of Super Eagles stars led by the uniquely talented Nwankwo Kanu who made 118 substitute appearances in the competition.
One of Africa’s greatest footballers and a fine centre-forward, Kanu’s position on this list is down largely to the presence of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp ahead of him in the Arsenal pecking order.
The Nigerian remains a firm fans’ favourite following some magical performances in north London and is the sixth-highest scoring substitute in Premier League history, later moving on to West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth, scoring the winning goal as the latter won the FA Cup in 2008.
burly striker and former Everton star, Victor Anichebe also made the list as he was subbed on 107 times. He however proved to be an effective substitute for his various sides, however, scoring 14 goals when entering the play – the eighth highest tally of any substitute in Premier League history.
Newcastle legend, Shola Ameobi however made the most substitute appearances by a Nigerian as he was subbed on 142 times to place fourth on the list behind Peter Crouch (157),Jermain Defoe (149) and Liverpool’s utility player, James Milner who has been subbed on 144 times.