Arsenal are continually being linked with a move to sign supposed long-term target Karim Benzema, but would he be a key player in our side?
The Frenchman has been speculated as being on Arsene Wenger’s wishlist since his time with Lyon, and has literally been linked with our club every transfer window in recent years. Clearly no move has materialised, although Jose Mourinho did bring substance to the rumours by insisting we did try and sign the striker from Real Madrid during the Portuguese’ time in Spain.
Latest repòrts from the continent claim that Real president Florentino Perez is eyeing an exodus after having endured a difficult start to the new season, and Benzema is said to be on his list of players who need replacing.
The 29 year-old should be in his prime, and looking at his goalscoring return alone, he certainly wouldn’t appear to be at the top of his game, but some would argue that his role in the team is not solely to put the ball in the net.
As the lone striker in a team full to the brim with firepower, you could argue that his biggest role is to make space for his fellow team-mates as well linking up with his attacking team, which evolves around superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, It would be up for debate whether taking CR7 out of the side would put more emphasis on the Frenchman to score more often, but with the service he receives you could also argue that he should be netting much more than he does regardless.
Karim has notched over 20 league goals in only two of his years at Real, and for debatably the best side in world football, that return is surely unacceptable, and I think it would be a huge risk to pay the fees needed to land him, especially when we have the two players keeping him out of the French international side, although there is an element of politics involved in his exclusion also.
Do Arsenal need or want Benzema? As the striker of Real Madrid does he do enough? Should he be scoring much more or is his role more important than simply putting the ball away?
Pat J