Martin Keown has admitted that Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe would have been a perfect player for Arsenal.
The France international has established himself as one of the most-exciting prospects in European football thanks to his electric performances in the Champions League.
Mbappe scored Monaco’s opening goal in a 3-1 win against Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
The 18-year-old has scored five goals in seven games in the Champions League this season to prompt talk of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, former Arsenal defender Keown believes Mbappe would have been perfect for Arsenal almost 10 years ago.
Discussing who Keown wants to win the Champions League in his Daily Mail column, Keown said:
“I would love to see Monaco win it. They play with the freedom of youth — particularly with the electric Kylian Mbappe.
“This kid is younger, more powerful at the moment than Marcus Rashford.
“He is drawing comparisons with Thierry Henry but the impact he has made reminds me of Nicolas Anelka — especially the way he finishes.”
Asked what Premier League club could sign Mbappe, Keown added:
“Had he burst on to the scene 10 years ago at Arsenal he would have answered their prayers!”
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Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League title since 2003-04 since Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira helped to inspire Arsene Wenger’s side to title glory.
The Gunners will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
Wenger’s men are in sixth place in the Premier League table and seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.