Arsene Wenger has disclosed how Arsenal narrowly missed out on securing the signature of a teenage Kylian Mbappe, despite conducting a secret transfer meeting in a bid to bring the future superstar to north London. The legendary French manager's revelation highlights a fascinating sliding doors moment in football history, where the career trajectory of one of the world's most celebrated players could have taken a dramatically different path.
The London Trial That Wasn't for Arsenal
Interestingly, Mbappe, now aged 27, did experience a trial in London during his youth, but not with the Gunners. The eventual World Cup winner instead featured for Chelsea in a youth match against Charlton Athletic. Recalling the encounter, Mbappe himself noted that Chelsea triumphed by a resounding margin of "6-0 or 7-0," though he remarkably does not remember scoring in the fixture. This brief stint in England, however, did not translate into a permanent move at that stage.
Wenger's Uphill Battle Against Family Wishes
It subsequently emerged that Wenger was operating at a significant disadvantage during his pursuit. Despite deploying his considerable charm and persuasive powers, the Arsenal icon could not convince Mbappe and his family to commit to a move to England. The player's relatives appeared firmly set on ensuring his formative football education continued within the French system, prioritising the right academy environment and coaching philosophy over the prestige of foreign clubs.
Esteemed French journalist Julien Laurens elaborated on this stance in a past interview with the BBC, stating: "Sending Kylian to develop his game outside of France was never part of the plan. Clubs from all over Europe would say, ‘Come to us’. It was never about the prestige of the club, because he could have gone to Real Madrid, to Chelsea, to Arsenal, to Manchester United. It was always about good academy, good coaches, and in the end he chose Monaco."
Mbappe's Meteoric Rise After Choosing Monaco
Mbappe's decision proved astute. After graduating from the famed Clairefontaine academy in the summer of 2013, he departed his hometown club Bondy to join Ligue 1 side Monaco. His progression was rapid; within two years, he was fast-tracked into the senior squad and made his professional debut just before turning 17 years old.
The scale of Arsenal's missed opportunity soon became painfully apparent. Mbappe played a pivotal role in Monaco's stunning 2017 league title triumph, scoring 26 goals across all competitions that season as the club came close to securing a domestic double. His explosive performances prompted Paris Saint-Germain to secure his services in a monumental £166 million deal, initially structured as a loan.
The Counterfactual: An Arsenal with Mbappe
Had Wenger succeeded in adding the young prodigy to his Arsenal squad, the potential benefits for the club are incalculable. A 2013 transfer might even have seen Mbappe, who later joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024, share a training pitch with future Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was concluding his playing career at the Emirates until 2016.
Arsenal supporters would undoubtedly have relished the prospect of another electrifying French forward spearheading their attack, evoking memories of the iconic Thierry Henry era. However, one might also speculate whether Mbappe would have evolved into the same generational talent without completing his crucial development in his homeland. Wenger, despite his renowned prowess in recruiting French starlets, ultimately found the odds stacked against him in this particular pursuit.
