In his own words, Kylian Mbappe is 4th choice striker at Real Madrid.

Having been left out of the starting line-up for their 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, the Frenchman was whistled by his own fans as he came off the bench and entered the Bernabeu pitch in the 69th minute yesterday. A petition calling for ‘Mbappe Out’ has attracted tens of millions of signatures.

In an interview following the match, Mbappe said “I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo.”

There is an outside chance that Mbappe may look to leave the Spanish capital this summer, and that has got some Arsenal fans dreaming. But should we be targeting a man that we nearly signed close to a decade ago?

Argument for

There is no doubt that Kylian Mbappe truly unstoppable world-class superstar.

Having made enormous progress under Mikel Arteta, Mbappe would instantly elevate our starting XI and take us from scrappy contenders to genuine favourites. He would take us to that next level.

Mbappe is a once-in-a-generation talent capable of deciding matches on his own through pace, finishing, movement, and creativity. He would provide the sort of individual excellence that our front line lacks. Simply put, Mbappe guarantees goals at the highest level.

Tactically, Mbappe would fit perfectly into Arteta’s attacking system. His versatility allows him to play on the left wing, through the middle, or alongside another striker. Imagine defenders trying to contain a front line featuring Saka on one side and Mbappe on the other, with Victor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz in the middle. Opponents would not know which way the attack is coming from.

Another key factor is commercial impact. Arsenal are already one of the biggest clubs in world football, but signing Mbappé would elevate their global profile even further. Shirt sales, sponsorship deals, and international attention would increase dramatically. Young fans across the world idolise Mbappé because of his exciting playing style and superstar image. Bringing him to North London would strengthen Arsenal’s brand and make the club even more attractive to future elite players.

Perhaps most importantly, signing Mbappé would send a statement to the football world.

For years, Arsenal were criticised for lacking ambition in the transfer market compared to Europe’s financial giants. Acquiring a player of Mbappé’s stature would prove that Arsenal are no longer outsiders hoping to compete — they are a destination for the very best.

Kylian Mbappé is not just a superstar player; he is the kind of footballer who changes the history of clubs. Arsenal should do everything possible to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Argument against

Although signing Kylian Mbappe may sound like a dream move for Arsenal supporters, the reality is that it could create more problems than solutions for the club.

Arsenal have spent years carefully rebuilding under Mikel Arteta, focusing on team chemistry, tactical discipline, and long-term development. Bringing in a global superstar like Mbappé could disrupt the balance that has made Arsenal successful in recent seasons.

Arsenal’s current success comes from unity rather than individual stardom, and changing that formula could be risky. Arteta has built a side based on pressing, teamwork, tactical intelligence, and collective responsibility. Every player contributes defensively and works hard off the ball. Mbappe, despite his incredible talent, has often been criticised for limited defensive effort and for wanting a system built around him, and that creates another problem.

Many fans will see Mbappe as the solution to the clubs left wing problems. But Mbappe wants to be front a centre.

Before joining Real Madrid, Mbappe reportedly sought confirmation that he would be played as the teams main striker. It is unlikely his view has changed in that matter, and that he will be happy moving down a level to Arsenal, and being pushed out to the wings.

Anotherbig concern is financial.

Mbappe is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, demanding enormous wages, bonuses, and image-rights agreements. Arsenal have worked hard to build a sustainable squad structure, rewarding players based on collective growth rather than superstar status. If Mbappe arrived on significantly higher wages than players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, or Declan Rice, it could create tension inside the dressing room. Football history shows that wage imbalance often damages squad harmony, even at elite clubs.

Considering these financial implications and that Mbappe would unlikely be happy on that left wing, istead of investing hundreds of millions into one superstar, Arsenal should strengthen multiple positions and improve overall squad depth. Spending massive resources on one player could weaken the club’s ability to strengthen elsewhere.

There is also immense pressure that comes with signing a player of Mbappe’s profile. Expectations would become unrealistic overnight. Fans and media would expect immediate Champions League trophies and Premier League titles. If results failed to match the hype, the atmosphere around the club could quickly become toxic. Arsenal’s current project has thrived partly because of patience and gradual improvement, not because of desperation for instant success.

Finally, Arsenal should remember that football is a team game. History proves that balanced squads often outperform teams built around one superstar. Clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool F.C. achieved sustained success through structure, chemistry, and depth rather than relying on a single global icon.

Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but not every great player is the right fit for every club. Arsenal’s future may be brighter if they continue trusting the collective vision that has already brought them back among Europe’s elite.

DK