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Arsene Wenger says Arsenal target Kylian Mbappe is similar to Thierry Henry

Kylian Mbappe Lottin reacts during the French Ligue 1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Caen (SMC) on December 21, 2016
Image: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are following the progress of Kylian Mbappe

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are following the progress of Monaco's Kylian Mbappe and says the striker "could be another Thierry Henry".

The 18-year-old made his Ligue 1 debut at 16 and has been a key figure in the Principality club's re-emergence at the top of French football this season, scoring six goals in 19 games.

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Mbappe, a France U19 international, became the club's youngest goalscorer at 17 - a title previously held by Henry - and only signed a new deal with Monaco last year but Wenger, whose side play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge live on Sky Sports on Saturday, has admitted he is following the forward's development.

Mbappe is a France U19 international
Image: Mbappe is a France U19 international

"He is not exactly Thierry Henry but it is true that he has similar qualities and the future and talent is similar," Wenger told the Ligue 1 show.

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"The potential is similar, after that if he has the same level of motivation, desire and intelligence that Thierry has, and the next two to three years will tell us that, then he can be very promising.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry (L) runs past Manager Arsene Wenger (R) while celebrating scoring the winning goal against Manchester United during the Premiership
Image: Wenger signed Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 1999

"The guys that have super talent are already playing at 18. Those who are not playing at 18 or 19 do not have that exceptional talent and he does play over here at the top level. He is a guy who is electric like Thierry was, can dribble, can pass and is efficient.

"We follow him, we know him very well, and he is developing well. He extended his contract with Monaco last season and so it's Monaco who are going to decide his future. He could be another Thierry Henry."

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