Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe: He has so much talent.

Thierry Henry has praised Arsenal target Kylian Mbappe, writing in his Sun column: “He can do what he wants with the ball.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed earlier this month that he is keeping tabs on Monaco striker Mbappe, 18, and said he “has similar qualities” to Henry.

Arsenal legend Henry also came up through the ranks at Monaco and he said: “I’ve met Mbappe and he’s a nice lad with a good head on his shoulders. He is very respectful and quite quiet. But give him the ball and he talks and he isn’t very nice anymore!

“He is determined and never gives up. He is the talk of the town and has so much talent. He has skills, goals, assists. He can do what he wants with the ball.

“I know people have called him ‘the new Thierry Henry’ but I don’t like those tags. He needs to be him and just be the best he can be.”

Monaco are currently top of Ligue 1 and face Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, and Henry said Mbappe “will probably come off the bench” for that match.

“My former club is flying right now in the French league and banging in goals for fun. Manager Leonardo Jardim has assembled a great side with a brilliant blend of experience and youth,” he said.

“Monaco have a good record against the English, too. We beat Manchester United when I was there, they have beaten Spurs twice this season, once at Wembley, and beat Arsenal at the Emirates recently.“City need to be at it or they’ll be next.”

Mbappe has drawn comparisons with Henry — a world-class finisher and France’s record scorer with 51 goals — because of his electric speed and style of play.

Henry used to make the same dazzling runs when cutting inside from the left that Mbappe makes now, and the parallel is made stronger by the fact they broke into the Monaco side as teenagers.

Mbappe’s first professional goal came at the age of 17 years, 62 days, which beat the Monaco club record held by Henry.

“Every player wants to write their own history. [Henry] has written his and I hope to write mine,” Mbappe said. “I just hope it’s as good or better.”

Wenger converted Henry into a striker when he signed him in 1999 after a brief spell with Juventus, and Monaco coach Jardim has used Mbappe from the left wing and a central position.

Jean-Claude Giuntini, Mbappe’s coach with France’s under-17s, said: “All that remains is finding his true position, out wide or through the middle.”