Arsenal legend Martin Keown wants to see the club sign a new striker this summer and believes Karim Benzema should be on top of Arsene Wenger’s the list
The Gunners have been linked with a number of forwards this summer, with Wenger believed to want to bring in a new one to compete with Olivier Giroud for a starting place.
Benzema’s name has once again popped up and it is understood Arsenal are trying to get a deal wrapped up before the window shuts.
And Keown wants to see Wenger launch a serious move for the Real Madrid forward, even though his former club face competition for the 27-year-old’s signature.
Quoted on talkSPORT.com, Keown said:
‘I’d like to see a striker signed.
‘If you’re not the champions and your striker, Olivier Giroud, didn’t start the FA Cup final last season, there are question marks over that position and maybe they need to be addressed.
‘Danny Welbeck is injured. Theo Walcott has just signed a new contract so there are lots of options. I’d just like to see a more mobile and frightening front player to come into that Arsenal group.
‘Why not go for Karim Benzema to play down the middle. I think Manchester United are just as keen to get a striker in as Arsenal so perhaps those two will be bidding against each other to bring someone in at the last minute.’
Arsenal reportedly had a £31.3 million bid rejected by Real for Benzema and, a few days later, the Gunners supposedly went back in with a £35.3 million offer, which is yet to be turned down or accepted. The second offer is likely to be snubbed by Real, with the La Liga only thought to be interested in selling Benzema if a bid of £40 million plus is tabled.
Arsenal do have a significant amount of money to spend and could well afford to buy Benzema, but it’s up to Wenger and the club to get the deal done.
I’m sure every Arsenal fan would love to see the French striker come in, with some even believing if he is added to this current squad then they could win the Premier League title.
I’m with Keown on this one. Arsenal must make this happen and finally bring Benzema to the Emirates. They’ve apparently set aside £45.8 million for the deal – Let’s see if it happens.
Utter rubbish. Can ANYONE tell me, or even better convince that Benzema is better than what we have at the minute? Or is even what we need? He’s never impressed me one bit. He’s just a big name that is actually that efficient infront of goal. This is a guy who’s only scored 20+ goals in the league TWICE in his entire career!! That’s actually the as Giroud.
Take a look at this. It’s each seasons goals tally for the season since he’s joined Real Madrid….
09/10 – 8 goals
10/11 – 15 goals
11/12 – 21 goals
12/13 – 11 goals
13/14 – 17 goals
14/15 – 15 goals
This is a guy playing for Real Madrid too! Don’t tell me he doesn’t get chances, playing for one of the best teams in the world in a weaker league where it’s easier to score and this is his goal return? Seriously, everyone wants HIM to lead our line???
Benzema will add firepower to our frontline players… And we should add DM too. Although we have a larger squad, I still feel we need 2 or 3 players to make @Arsenal a wonderful team to watch. Thanks.
Yawn to the comment above Giroud is crap
Benzema is a Real Madrid player. If Real Madrid or Benzema doesn’t want the sale to go ahead then he remains a Real Madrid player.
Or does the system not work like that in some people’s heads? This is not a computer game, it’s real life.
As for the word ‘reportedly’ … Ha!
How cananyone justify buying Benzema?? He’s good, he’s not amazing. We need amazing…