It might well have finished with an FA Cup, but 2016/17 was a rough season for those connected with Arsenal.
Dumped out of the Champions League after a 10-2 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich (who else?), and then a fifth place finish which ensured they wouldn’t be returning to Europe’s premier cup competition next season – the first time they’ll miss out on this in over two decades.
Despite this – and the fact that Arsene Wenger has since penned a new 2 year deal at the club – there’s been some cause for optimism amongst their supporters this summer, with Arsenal being strongly linked with a move for AS Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe.
Although they face plenty of competition for his signature, some Arsenal fans have dared to dream that Wenger might be able to prise the talented youngster from Monte Carlo.
With this in mind, you can probably guess how excited Arsenal fans became when they saw the French lineup for their friendly match with England on Tuesday night.
Mbappe was handed a start by Didier Deschamps, playing alongside current Arsenal striker, Olivier Giroud.
Predictably, the club’s supporters quickly picked up on this, taking it as a sign of things to come…
Future Arsenal pairing of Giroud and Mbappe start for #France
— Kal (@GoonerKal) June 13, 2017
Mbappe and Giroud start… let's force Wenger to up the bid with good link up play 😉 @Arsenal
— Stu (@stuartKmackay) June 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/justlurking45/status/874701331935748096
https://twitter.com/R_Carruthers14/status/874696850414211072
Giroud & Mbappe starting up tonight for France, quick preview of the Arsenal front row next season…
🙄 I wish
— Lee (@LeeTatum89) June 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/KamalMiah11/status/874695130237849601
Already trying out the new Arsenal attack!
Giroud & Mbappé 😍
— Gandalf The Red 🔴⚪ (@ValyrianScion) June 13, 2017
France starting arsenal players.. Giroud.. mbappe… Lemar 😀😀😁😁
— Lekan 🍀 (@Lekzite_Baba) June 13, 2017
