In Wenger Mbappe trusts
Monaco’s young star is a fan of the Arsenal manger, but is he the next Henry or another Walcott?
It seemed everywhere you looked during the second half of last season you saw a ‘Wenger out’ banner. They popped up at every opportunity; if there was a crowd with banners and it had the chance of being on TV, there was an ‘Arsene Out!’ sign. It even made it to Wrestle Mania.
Not so long ago ‘In Arsene we trust’ were the only signs at the Emirates, but with each year that Arsenal fell short of the title and with every promising young star that either left or failed to reach the standard, the other sign became more and more prominent.
Those days of finding gems like Patrick Vieira, Ashley Cole, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Perse et all feel like a lifetime ago. Muset Ozil came to England because he felt Wenger was the man to push his career on and although he has won the World Cup since, the jury still seem undecided with the German playmaker.
With Arsenal now facing a first season without Champions League football for 21 years and a host of promising talents like Jack Wilshire and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain not quite reaching their potential, is the Arsene Wenger still capable of polishing gems?
According to French daily Le Parisien one of Europe’s brightest young talents believes he is. Monaco’s 18-year-old wonder kid, Kylian Mbappe, is currently the subject of ridiculous transfer speculation; Real Madrid want to break the world record for his signature. PSG can do that plus give Monaco Hatem Ben Arfa, while Arsenal say they will offer Oliver Giroud with a substantial fee. The kid is so hot right now, to quote Zoolander, and he could literally go anywhere.
However, it is rumoured that a season under the guidance of Wenger is very appealing to Mbappe because of Wenger’s record of honing great French talents like Vieira and Nicolas Anelka.
Which is positive news, if true, for Gunners fans, but it did come with a little sour note that suggested Mbappe wants a ‘stepping-stone’ club to reach the likes of Madrid and Barcelona, which is a little humbling for a club now entering the Europa League but for a while they could possibly be in possession of the next Thierry Henry.
It’s very easy, lazy in fact, to make the comparison with Arsenal’s record goal scorer given both are lightning quick and began careers at Monaco, but the ‘Henry blue print’ could be perfect for Mbappe to follow, but it is by no means a guarantee of success.
Henry himself struggled initially, not having the confidence to switch from winger to striker, but after some teething issues he took off like a rocket and became, arguably, Wenger’s greatest nurtured talent.
Henry went on to win three league titles, including an invincible season, multiple player of the year awards and finished as the club’s record goal scorer. In the years after he left Arsenal went through a few replacements, Robin van Perse being the best of them, but no one proved capable of emulating the Frenchman.
The first attempt at finding a Henry, almost like for like, was a 17-year-old whippet from Southampton, who has sadly not quite made the mark.
Eleven years ago, Theo Walcott burst onto the scene with some eye-catching cameos for the Saints in the Championship. He was frighteningly quick and loved running at defenders. Before long he had been signed by Arsenal and included in Sven Goran Ericksons 2006 World Cup Squad.
Growing up the young Walcott idolised Henry and joining Arsenal was an easy decision. He went on to play along-side his hero and take on the famous number 14 shirt. It was a fast rise into the public eye and a slow decent into mediocracy. Walcott never made it off the bench at the World Cup and has not made an appearance at one yet. His Arsenal career has had some high points, but they’re very far apart and his time at the Emirates will surely end with a hint of disappointment.
It all looked so different in 2006, Walcott had the world at his feet, much like Mbappe does now. In one season of professional football the Monaco striker has scored 26 goals in all competitions and made a big impression in the Champions League. The world is watching to see his next move.
Whatever it is, a transfer record is set to be broken, but are we about to watch a young talent blossom into a super star, or is it the beginning of another disappointment.