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One hundred million euros is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on anything, let alone an eighteen-years old footballer.

In Arsenal’s case, it’s exactly what they need to do.

With the Gunners already having had their one hundred million euro offer rejected by Monaco, will they go for another bite at the apple? They have to.

Wenger’s job was once again (partially) saved by an FA Cup final victory. After missing out on the Champions League for the first time in his Arsenal career, the manager has signed a new two-year contract extension.

The club didn’t really have a choice, regardless if it was the right decision. Arsenal were in no way prepared to bring in a new manager at this point in time.

After switching to a back three system, Arsenal finished the season on a decent run of form. However, for the majority of the season Arsenal were stale and uninspired.

 

A long-glaring flaw

Despite the late-season run, Arsenal still have major tactical flaws. The most glaring at center-forward.

The Gunners haven’t had a prolific center forward since Robin Van Persie.

Olivier Giroud has a great goal-scoring record, but is he really your every-match starter? He’s proven this season he’s extremely effective off the bench, while starting the occasional match.

Does he want to do that? I doubt it, but it seems as if he’s committed his future to the club, dismissing reports about a return to France.

Danny Welbeck brings a different dimension than Giroud. He’s quick, athletic, can stretch the back four, and get in behind.

That being said, he doesn’t possess the clinical finishing of the Frenchman and once again doesn’t look like a striker that can lead you to a Premier League title, rather a very serviceable squad player.

Alexis Sanchez, the star man had a flying thirty-goal season.

He’s a not a pure striker though. He likes to play out wide on the left and cut in. He floats, sometimes dropping deep to pick up the ball off Granit Xhaka.

 

Mbappe is the man

So in this new 3-4-3 formation with Alexis on the left and Ozil on the right, who’s gonna lead the line and take the Gunners back to the promise land?

It’s got to be Mbappe. He’s the type of player Wenger would have snapped up in a flash early in his career.

It’s impossible to not draw correlations between Mbappe and Henry. When you see the young forward flying up the left wing, it’s déja vu.


Henry wasn’t the only young attacker Wenger molded into a superstar, you can add Anelka and Robin Van Persie to that list.

Mbappe is on record as an Arsenal admirer. Arsène Wenger even went to his house last summer and tried to sign him before his price tag increased by about ninety nine million and seven hundred fifty thousand euros.

 

Could be lured with the promise of playing time

Arsenal may have a difficult time swaying the young Mbappe to join, considering the disappointing season and absence of Champions League football.

However, they can promise him playing time. He’ll start straight away. Mbappe is fully aware he needs to play regularly to continue his development.

If Mbappe were to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, would he be able to crack the starting XI straight away? It’s unlikely. Maybe the young striker isn’t ready for that level yet.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, they are a level or two below the Spanish giants and from Mbappe’s perspective, maybe it’s the perfect stepping stone for him.

 

Arsenal must show intent in the transfer market

Regardless if they actually sign him or not, it’s the intent Arsène Wenger and Ivan Gazidis must show.

Go on and buy the world’s most prized young talent, show the world Arsenal mean business. It would be transformational.

He could play with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil (assuming they stay), for a couple years. He’ll be shepherded by Arsène and in three or four years time he’ll make his big jump to Real Madrid or another giant.

Arsenal can’t be too picky here.

They can’t expect him to lead the line for the next ten years, but who knows? Maybe he falls in love with club.

 

Out of character, but it’s now or never

This all of course rides on the gargantuan assumption that Arsenal would spend and even possess such a monetary figure.

It would be totally out of character for the club and the manager. The club need to get the fans back on their side with season ticket renewals just around the corner.

We think Arsenal have the money and the desire.

The stage is set. An immense young attacking French talent from Monaco, could this be anymore Arsenal? They need to go all in, everything on the table.

Or maybe they won’t and it’s just a pipe dream. For the future of this football club, let’s hope it’s not.

 

Written by Kyle Keenan

Follow Kyle on Twitter @kyleskeenan

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