How Kylian Mbappe could help Arsenal sign Vinicius Junior

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·5 August 2026

How Kylian Mbappe could help Arsenal sign Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are two of the leading players in the Real Madrid squad, and there appears to be a quiet battle between them, both on and off the pitch.

Real Madrid signed Mbappe to play as their striker, but the Frenchman is well known for preferring to operate from the left before cutting inside onto his right foot, which is also the primary role of Vinicius.

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Accommodating both players in the same team has not been straightforward, and even Carlo Ancelotti struggled to find a successful solution. That ongoing situation could potentially strengthen Arsenal’s hopes of signing Vinicius this summer.

Tactical challenge

Real Madrid do not want to lose the Brazilian under any circumstances, but he has yet to sign a contract extension with the club, and that situation is believed to have something to do with Mbappe.

The Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world and has consistently demonstrated that he can lead the line effectively, making him a key player for the Madrid side.

According to Give Me Sport, Tim Vickery has discussed the winger’s future and believes that the situation with Mbappe, both as a teammate and as a rival for the same areas of the pitch, could be one of the factors influencing Vinicius as he considers his future.

Rivalry could influence decision

Vickery said: “Without a doubt, yes, very much so. It’s not only a battle of egos, it’s not only a battle to be number one, it’s also the fact that tactically they like the same space,”

He added: “You would think of Vini Jr as a winger and Mbappe as a striker, but both of them have little bits of the other.

“It’s very hard to fit the two of them in the same side, Ancelotti couldn’t do it and Ancelotti is a master at adapting and getting the best out of what he’s got. The Mbappe thing is undoubtedly a problem for Vini Jr.”

With no resolution yet to Vinicius’ contract situation, the coming weeks could prove significant as discussions over his future continue while Arsenal monitor developments closely.

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