Confident Robert Pires prediction will come as music to ears of Arsenal supporters

It's not been the easiest season to be an Arsenal supporter.

Even away from watching the ongoing title bid of arch-rivals Tottenham, Arsenal fans are coming to terms with the uphill task which is the securing of a top four place in the Premier League. They failed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals and the FA Cup remains their only chance of silverware for this campaign. Add to the lacklustre performances the continuing contract wrangles of both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, as well as the very tangible supporter schism over Arsene Wenger's future, and you'd struggle to think of a more frustrating time in recent history to be a regular at the Emirates. It's been a bad year, simple as. And if the club is to stand any hope of repairing the damaged relationship with its fans, significant investment will have to be made in the team. A centre-forward capable of scoring 20+ goals a season is required to lighten the load that Sanchez is currently forced to carry while a central midfielder also wouldn't go astray. Supporters would also welcome a signing to get excited about as, no offence, but Lucas Perez is not the kind of acquisition that gets fans' blood pumping. One signing who would, however, would be Monaco's breakout superstar Kylian Mbappe. The 18-year-old has scored 23 goals in 37 appearances this season and seemingly grows more fond of finding the net with each passing week. The France international is arguably the most exciting young talent in world football and there are a host of clubs lining up to persuade Mbappe to join them this summer. But another Frenchman, Robert Pires, fancies Arsenal's chances of bringing Mbappe to the Emirates, which would presumably get at least some supporters back onside. "I do think Arsenal will sign him (Mbappe)," Pires told Bwin. "The problem is how much. Mbappe has the potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right manager to manage him. Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so it won’t be much of a transition." Mbappe's performances have earned him comparisons with Gunners legend Thierry Henry, with both Frenchmen having come through the ranks at Monaco. But Pires insists it's too early for such pressure to be put on the teenager. "The comparison is unnecessary, he’s not ready to be compared to Thierry," Pires said. "Mbappe is a very similar player but to compare the two players would be unfair. "I hope that Kylian can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, he has the same profile as Thierry – quick, strong and a great finisher – but he’s very young so I would hold off on comparisons just yet.