Monaco teenager should not be compared to
Gunners legend Thierry Henry, says Robert Pires.
The France striker, 18, is one of the hottest
properties in European football having scored 13
goals for table-toppers Monaco in Ligue 1 this
term and a further five in their run to the
Champions League semi-finals.
Earlier this week, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
admitted the club do not have the financial
muscle to compete for Mbappe's signature if he
were to become available.
But Pires, a member of the Gunners' famed
'Invincibles' side of 2003-04, believes he will head
to Emirates Stadium and that Wenger is the ideal
man to nurture his blossoming talent.
Speaking to Bwin, he said: "I do think Arsenal will
sign him.
"The problem is how much. Mbappe has the
potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right
manager to manage him.
"Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so
it won't be much of a transition."
The comparisons between Mbappe and Henry are
obvious, with both having started at Monaco
while possessing pace and a deadly finish in front
of goal.
But Pires believes it is unfair to already be
mentioning Mbappe in the same league as the
Gunners' record goalscorer.
"The comparison is unnecessary, he's not ready to
be compared to Thierry. Mbappe is a very similar
player but to compare the two players would be
unfair," he added.
"I hope that Kylian can follow in the footsteps of
Thierry Henry, he has the same profile as Thierry -
quick, strong and a great finisher but he's very
young so I would hold off on comparisons just yet."
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