Arsenal: Anthony Martial 2.0 not the case with Kylian Mbappe

David Trezeguet has warned Kylian Mbappe to not replicate the struggles of Anthony Martial. However, if he signs for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger’s touch with young players will prevent him from doing so.

Arsenal are reportedly still interested in the potential signing of Kylian Mbappe. The Monaco centre-forward has been the subject of much rumour and conjecture this summer, such has been his sensational rise to prominence at the tender age of just 18, and is yet to make his decision about whether to leave Monaco, and where he should move to if he does decide to leave.

Arsene Wenger is a major suitor of his talents, seeing his pace, his directness and his calmness in front of goal, reminiscent of the great Thierry Henry, as the perfect blend to lead the Arsenal line as dynamic, mobile centre-forward.

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However, we have seen, very recently, extremely talented Monaco attackers make the big money move, only to falter under the weight of expectation that such a substantial price tag brings. And the tale of Anthony Martial is the warning that David Trezeguet offers to Mbappe, urging him to stay with the French club to continue mastering his trade before making the move elsewhere:

"“We know he is a player with a great future and that’s the most important thing. He is aware of his qualities, he is aware he is just 17 or 18 years old so he has a good opportunity at Monaco because it is a beautiful city, and a world class academy. But everything moves fast in football. Monaco has known a special case with Anthony Martial going to Manchester. Of course the economic part is important, but I think with time, things happen naturally.”"

It is not unwise advice from Trezeguet, a man who did exactly that before moving to Juventus at 22, winning two league titles with Monaco in the meantime. However, while Martial moved to Manchester United and has struggled under the ruthless, impatient management styles of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, if Mbappe were to join Arsenal, he would be entering a club that welcomes the inconsistencies and frustrations of young talents, under a manager who excels at managing expectations while eeking out the very best youngsters have to offer.

In such a scenario, Mbappe would not be under the same pressure to perform as Martial has been in Manchester. He would be in a situation that is far more facilitating for a player of his talent and his age. Moreover, Wenger has worked wonders with a myriad of young, French talent in the past, including Henry himself, and is the master of easing them into the first team, while giving them the opportunities they require to make mistakes and improve as a result.

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Mbappe is set to make a career-defining decision. Whether he chooses to stay or go, and where he chooses to go to, if he does indeed decide to leave, will heavily influence the trajectory of his career for many years to come. Trezeguet’s advice is wise, but it missed one crucial point. Arsene Wenger. That is why Mbappe would flourish at Arsenal.

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