Arsenal: Karim Benzema Is Simply Not Wenger’s Man

Arsenal are once again being linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Such rumours are utter rubbish. He simply isn’t Wenger’s man.

The wacky world of transfer rumours is now a year round adventure. No longer is the ‘club source’ confined to a few scarce months in the summer where football is no more. No longer does the latest scoop come during the summer’s younger brother, the worthless winter window. For Arsenal, this has never been truer.

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With a club enjoying a worldwide following, much of the media chooses to the stir up false hope and optimism among a downtrodden and downhearted fan base to simply beef up their profile and expand their wallets.

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Only recently reports surfaced of a possible move for Antoine Griezmann, a player that had found favour in Arsene Wenger’s eyes during an outstanding European Championships in which he scored six goals, spearheaded a sensational French attack alongside the Gunners’ current centre-forward Olivier Giroud.

Now, it is the time of Karim Benzema.

The Real Madrid striker has often been considered the runt of the rather extraordinary litter at the Bernabeu. Unable to match the glitz, glamour and goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, the French striker has found the headlines for rather unsavoury behaviour. Links to a blackmail with French teammate Mathieu Valbuena saw Benzema admitted from the national squad in the summer and his reputation falter.

Now, Wenger apparently sees fit to rejuvenate his long-time admiration for the striker in the hope that the return of Alvaro Morata, amid his controversial off-field circumstances, could provide him with a window of opportunity to acquire the services of yet another Galactico. However, such rumours are incredibly difficult to believe.

First and foremost, £17 million has just been splashed on a brand new centre-forward. Why would Wenger, someone who is notoriously loyal to his players, bring in further competition at a position where he feels he has satisfied the shortcomings of previous years? Moreover, Wenger is particularly careful with the character of his players. Does Benzema fit the typical Arsenal profile?

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In short, no. A reported £40 million, for a player who is no longer needed – at least judging by the recent transfer activity of Wenger – who would sign under a cloud of controversy and now at 28. Simply put, Benzema is no longer Wenger’s man.