Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal should be a realistic option for Kylian Mbappe

Mikel Arteta has done a marvelous job overseeing Arsenal's transition for Premier League also-rans to genuine top-level contenders.

Whilst they are not able to operate without restrictions like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal have moved into a financially impressive space after years of underspending whilst the Emirates Stadium was being paid-off.

Now, with the Gunners challenging for the Premier League title and making good progress in the Champions League, the Spanish coach believes that they should be considered a genuine option for Kylian Mbappe.

The French forward will have his pick of clubs in the summer of 2024 after he informed PSG that he would be leaving France on a Bosman deal in June.

Real Madrid appear the most likely landing spot for the prodigious talent, who many consider to be the best footballer on the planet at this juncture.

It has been a long pursuit for Los Blancos, although you can never discount the riches on offer from Premier League clubs.

Historically, Arsenal haven't ever been big players in the transfer market, with Arsene Wenger actually constructing his first double winning side with discarded qualities and unknown entities from the French and Italian leagues.

Since then, Arsenal have never really been in contention to make the biggest signings, with players actually piling out the exit door in the latter years of Wenger's tenure.

Arteta wants Arsenal to be seen differently

Yet, Mikel Arteta wants his club to be viewed differently in the transfer market, and whilst he acknowledged that a deal for Mbappe would be challenging, he wants people to stop immediately discounting the Gunners.

"When there is a player of that caliber we always have to be in the conversation," Arteta declared in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"Maybe Edu and the owners are [in discussions with Mbappe], but I am not in those conversations until the last stage.

"Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure. The club we are, I don't think that has ever been an issue.

"Everybody wants to play for Arsenal. At least the players we have held discussions with, they always have that smile on their face the moment you open the door and start to have that discussion."