Arsene Wenger Compares Kylian Mbappe To Thierry Henry

By The Editor
on 12th December 2022

Arsene Wenger on the similarities between the two French superstars…

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he sees similarities between Kylian Mbappe and Gunners icon Thierry Henry, he told L’Equipe (via ParisFans).

Mbappe is currently on course to guide France to back-to-back World Cup triumphs as they prepare to face Morocco in the semi-finals.

The Paris Saint-Germain star is the top scorer in the tournament and has been operating from the left flank in Didier Deschamp’s side.

It has reminded many of Henry’s period of dominance with the former Monaco boss often drifting out wide to affect the game.

It’s a position he knows well having played there throughout his youth before Wenger eventually converted him into a central striker.

Speaking on the two supreme talents, Wenger stated that he did see similarities in their game.

“Yes, there are a lot of similarities,” Wenger was quoted as saying while in Doha.

“Thierry also played on the left on his debut, he also liked to open his foot in front of goal.

“But I note that Kylian, as he did on his first goal against Poland, is adapting to the fact that the goalkeepers are anticipating open side to shoot closed side.

“As with all great players, you have the impression that it’s easy for him to play football, and that he decides a bit when he will make the difference.”

Wenger once referred to Henry as the ‘Michael Jordan of football’ such was his sheer dominance and ability to decide the game on his own irrespective of where he picked the ball up.

That’s the level Mbappe is currently operating at and, in another life, Wenger could’ve been the man to manage both talents.