Arsenal have been linked with French star Kylian Mbappe, who plays forward for AS Monaco. The French born has been tipped as ‘The Next Thierry Henry’ and such similarities have even lead the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to take notice of the explosive 18-year-old winger.
The French boss mentored his compatriots during their time together at Monaco and later turned the Arsenal legend from an inconsistent winger to a spectacular forward. However, the Gunners manager looks to be interested on the winger, who has made a brilliant impression at the Stade Louis II this term.
But who is the star? And if he will fit in well at Arsenal, where many French star have made the grade, though some are yet to. The French club would love to hold onto their young starlet, but mouth-watering bids and the right clubs coming in for him could force their hands into selling him.
Football Background / C.V
Mbappe started his career out at hometown club AS Bondy, where he impressed many before going on to have a stint at the famed Clairefontaine academy. After impressing there, he was sought by many French clubs but finally settled with AS Monaco.
He featured for Monaco’s B team as well as reserve teams before finally making the first team Ligue 1 appearance in December 2015, when he replaced Fabio Coentrao for the last few minutes of a game against Caen.
Mbappe was aged just 16 years and 347 days, thus breaking idol Thierry Henry’s record. In February 2016, he scored a goal against Troyes, in a home league win. While doing so, at 17 years and 47 days, he became Monaco’s youngest goal-scorer, also beating Thierry Henry’s record in the process.
This season has been a major one for Mbappe so far. He has featured quite a lot, playing 19 games in all and scoring 7 goals. In the league alone, he has 3 goals and 6 assists. A remarkable record for a budding wide forward that still has some physical and mental growing to do.
Where will he fit in
As previously mentioned, Mbappe is more than comfortable playing in a wide role or up front and this versatility could help any of his suitors. Arsenal could benefit hugely with his signing as it would give Wenger the opportunity to nourish and polish another stone into a diamond.
Mbappe will undoubtedly find it tough going at first if he makes the move. His former AS Monaco teammate, Martial, will certainly know a thing or two about adapting to the Premier League and if Martial’s Old Trafford journey is anything to go by, Mbappe would be better off staying at Monaco for a reasonable time and gain valuable experience before moving on to another club, where he can further his progress accordingly.