Kylian Mbappe looks certain to leave PSG this summer, and Arsenal have been credited amongst the many clubs interested in the French superstar.
Fabrizio Romano, writing on his Twitter page, has made it clear that Kylan Mbappe is set to depart PSG in this transfer window. Arsenal have been mooted as a possible, if unlikely, destination, and the forward himself has expressed some interest in playing for the north London club.
Of course, Mbappe is most likely to end up at Real Madrid, however, plenty of clubs will try to tempt him this summer. Arsenal would be wise to resist this urge.
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Mbappe is undoubtedly world class, perhaps the best individual player in the world. However, there are reasons why he would struggle to flourish for Arteta’s Arsenal.
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Why Arsenal shouldn’t sign Kylian Mbappe
If we hypothetically say that a deal for Mbappe is on for Arsenal, and could be done, it would still be wildly expensive. The 24-year-old’s wages are extortionate, and he brings a huge amount of additional attention with him. Arteta has ousted the likes of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the club, in both cases in acrimonious circumstances. The Spanish coach doesn’t seem keen on headline-grabbing stars who constantly draw the spotlight. Mbappe’s prominence in world football would make him an outlier at the Emirates Stadium in a manner that Arteta would be unlikely to appreciate.
Beyond the financial and fame implications though, is the presence of Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian isn’t at Mbappe’s level, but he is still excellent and getting better. He has the capacity to become genuinely world class in his own right.
The 22-year-old is also perfect for Arteta’s system. He follows tactical instructions to the letter, and works incredibly hard defensively. Mbappe would rob Martinelli of so much vital game time, and would be unlikely to replicate these aspects of the Arsenal man’s game. The 70-cap France international has almost always been given a huge amount of freedom on the pitch for club and country, and he is rarely seen tracking back. Arteta has shown he can be ruthless with the club’s biggest stars, and he would have little patience with this.
Arsenal have made huge progress recently, with the likes of Martinelli playing a crucial part in that. Signing Mbappe would be seismic, and could ultimately derail everything.
Bringing Mbappe to Arsenal should remain a fantasy for fans to ponder. It’s already a hugely unlikely prospect, and the club shouldn’t entertain it.