Arsenal: Karim Benzema Alexis Sanchez Raises Intrigue

Arsenal are reportedly attempting to broker a swap between Alexis Sanchez and Karim Benzema. It is certainly an intriguing prospect that should be explored.

The replacement of star players has been a crippling task for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in the past. Ever since the big money owners infiltrated the Premier League, coinciding with the move to the Emirates Stadium, it has been a financial battle to match the transfer power of many of the European elite.

As such, Wenger has seen many of his more established first-team players depart. The first was Patrick Vieira. But since then, the names roll off of the tongue like Ed Sheeran lyrics: Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Cesc Fabregas, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie. And there are so many more.

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While in recent seasons the mass exodus has subsided somewhat, that does not mean that the financial pressures to match the ever-increasing wages and transfer fees do not pertain. Arsenal have been able to acquire talents such as Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Petr Cech in recent summer transfer windows. However, after yet another underwhelming season in which the same old shortcomings have reared their ugly head, there are significant rumours linking many of the established players with moves away from North London.

Perhaps the most worrying of them all is Alexis Sanchez. Since being shifted into a central striking role, the Chilean international has only elevated his importance to the team. He is the Gunners’ top goalscorer this season, has been the main instigator for all good things and is at the centre of much of their free-flowing, dynamic attacking play. However, as time passes and his contract steam towards expiration – he now has just over a year remaining on his current deal – an impending exit is becoming more and more likely.

The focus for Arsenal must, as time progresses, shift from trying to retaining Sanchez to trying to find a replacement, something that history suggests that they are incapable of doing. Perhaps, then, a swap-type deal would be best served for the club, averting the need to dip into the transfer window with the sole intention of having to spend big.

That is why the recent rumours suggesting that Karim Benzema is a target for a swap with Sanchez is a prospect that raises intrigue. While the two are very different players, Sanchez is a dynamic, sharp, quick versatile attacker; Benzema is a traditional, on-the-shoulder, bruising, bullying number nine, Benzema would bring a calibre of forward that Arsenal do need if Sanchez departs.

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Is this is a likely move? No, of course not. But it does reveal the need that, if Sanchez leaves which is highly likely, then a high-quality replacement must be found.

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