Arsenal have long harboured dreams of signing Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman often compared to club legend Thierry Henry. However, the north London club now appear to have moved on from that ambition, with Viktor Gyokeres proving to be a better fit for Mikel Arteta's system.
Mbappe, who idolised Henry as a child and was photographed in an Arsenal shirt, came close to joining the Gunners in 2016 when Arsene Wenger visited his home. But the move fell through due to financial constraints, and he later joined Paris Saint-Germain and then Real Madrid.
At Madrid, Mbappe has struggled to replicate his PSG form and has been criticised for prioritising individual glory over team success. The club's failure to win major trophies this season has led to fan backlash, with a petition calling for his departure amassing over 70 million signatures.
In contrast, Viktor Gyokeres has thrived at Arsenal since his £64 million move, embodying the collective ethos Arteta has instilled. The Swedish striker has scored crucial goals and helped the team reach the Champions League final and top the Premier League table.
Arsenal's success this season has been built on teamwork, with no individual above the collective. Gyokeres fits this philosophy perfectly, while Mbappe's ego would have disrupted the harmony Arteta has carefully cultivated.
