Sport nationArsene Wenger gives Mikel Arteta Karim Benzema transfer instruction as Edu hunts striker deal
Comments made by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger have offered an indication as to what Karim Benzema could bring to the Emirates Stadium if he was to complete a stunning January transfer
Arsene Wenger has highlighted why Karim Benzema could be the perfect addition for Arsenal in January – insisting the ex-Real Madrid striker “makes people around him better”.
Benzema, 36, is currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with reigning champions Al-Ittihad but has been linked with a stunning mid-season move to the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal were laid bare in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.
The Frenchman, who left Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, has been linked with a move back to Europe in recent days with his mega-move to Saudi Arabia said to have turned sour last month after he reportedly failed to show up for training on consecutive days.
As a result, the forward, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, has been linked with a sensational switch to North London more than a decade after former Gunners boss Wenger tried to lure the Frenchman from Real Madrid.
In light of speculation around Benzema’s future, footage of Wenger praising Benzema’s selfless approach have resurfaced before the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea in 2021.
Wenger, who served as Gunners boss for 22 years, revealed why he decided to try and tempt Benzema away from the Spanish capital, saying: “He was in competition with Higuain for a while. It was Higuain for three games, three games for Benzema.
READ MORE: Why Mikel Arteta is not to blame for Arsenal problems as harsh reality emerges vs Liverpool – football.london
READ MORE: Embarrassing Mikel Arteta moment caught on BBC during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool
“He played the game based on passing and connections, so he was an ideal player up front.
“He’s a striker who makes people around him better and sometimes you have strikers who score goals but they make players around them worse. He’s not one of them. If you put Benzema in the team, I would want to play with him.”
Speaking after Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, which consigned the Gunners to three consecutive defeats in all competitions despite taking 61 shots in that period, manager Mikel Arteta insisted it is not “realistic” for his side to add a striker to their ranks this summer and instead claimed their woes in the final third were “probably” psychological.
“Stick behind the ones that we have,” said the Spaniard. “They are incredibly good. If not then they don’t do what they’ve done today and in Anfield. Stick by them.
“That’s exactly what they need. Then they feel important and supported. With their attitude they don’t deserve anything different. That’s my opinion.”
Arsenal are next in action against Crystal Palace on January 20, when Roy Hodgson’s side travel to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger gives Mikel Arteta Karim Benzema transfer instruction as Edu hunts striker deal
Comments made by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger have offered an indication as to what Karim Benzema could bring to the Emirates Stadium if he was to complete a stunning January transfer
Arsene Wenger has highlighted why Karim Benzema could be the perfect addition for Arsenal in January – insisting the ex-Real Madrid striker “makes people around him better”.
Benzema, 36, is currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with reigning champions Al-Ittihad but has been linked with a stunning mid-season move to the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal were laid bare in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.
The Frenchman, who left Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, has been linked with a move back to Europe in recent days with his mega-move to Saudi Arabia said to have turned sour last month after he reportedly failed to show up for training on consecutive days.
As a result, the forward, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, has been linked with a sensational switch to North London more than a decade after former Gunners boss Wenger tried to lure the Frenchman from Real Madrid.
In light of speculation around Benzema’s future, footage of Wenger praising Benzema’s selfless approach have resurfaced before the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea in 2021.
Wenger, who served as Gunners boss for 22 years, revealed why he decided to try and tempt Benzema away from the Spanish capital, saying: “He was in competition with Higuain for a while. It was Higuain for three games, three games for Benzema.
READ MORE: Why Mikel Arteta is not to blame for Arsenal problems as harsh reality emerges vs Liverpool – football.london
READ MORE: Embarrassing Mikel Arteta moment caught on BBC during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool
“He played the game based on passing and connections, so he was an ideal player up front.
“He’s a striker who makes people around him better and sometimes you have strikers who score goals but they make players around them worse. He’s not one of them. If you put Benzema in the team, I would want to play with him.”
Speaking after Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, which consigned the Gunners to three consecutive defeats in all competitions despite taking 61 shots in that period, manager Mikel Arteta insisted it is not “realistic” for his side to add a striker to their ranks this summer and instead claimed their woes in the final third were “probably” psychological.
“Stick behind the ones that we have,” said the Spaniard. “They are incredibly good. If not then they don’t do what they’ve done today and in Anfield. Stick by them.
“That’s exactly what they need. Then they feel important and supported. With their attitude they don’t deserve anything different. That’s my opinion.”
Arsenal are next in action against Crystal Palace on January 20, when Roy Hodgson’s side travel to the Emirates Stadium.
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