Karim Benzema- Arsenal Target 2014

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema (left) scores a goal in the second half against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Karim Benzema

Over the course of the summer, we’ll be tracking the most realistic potential signings for Arsenal and publishing our profiles and assessment of each footballer.

The most talked about position of need for Arsenal for most of the season and of course, into the transfer window, is at striker. Despite an improvement in Olivier Giroud’s play in his second campaign in the league, there exists a general feeling that to compete for the title a significant upgrade is required.

Benzema’s pricetag of £30m could jump if Real Madrid fail to replace him

Karim Benzema has been linked numerous times with a move to Arsenal. His name was mentioned last summer along with Gonzalo Higuain’s as potential support for the strike-force at the Emirates.

While Loïc Rémy appears to be the acquisition closest to securing a move to North London, Benzema brings a different style of play and heaps of title-winning experience. Where Rémy is best deployed to complement Giroud on the pitch, Benzema would be a like-for-like switch for the current Arsenal striker. The Real Madrid man is, however, superior in almost every way to Giroud.

Style of Play

Benzema is a bit more comfortable with the ball at his feet and displays a similar capability to hold up the ball and bring midfielders into the build up. They both act as pivots, though Benzema has had better pace and skill on his flanks at Real Madrid. Spending years with Ronaldo and di María has helped to cultivate Benzema’s creativity and passing ability in attacking positions. Although pace on the left flank isn’t an attribute of the current Arsenal squad, the extremely speedy Theo Walcott will be making his return from injury in the earlier stages of the coming campaign. That, coupled with the quality behind striker in midfield, makes the move from Real Madrid to Arsenal a relatively simple one. With no great changes in formation, Benzema would find it easy to fit in.

His finishing would also be a marked improvement over Giroud. Benzema is a quality finisher in the air and on the ground, while also possessing the physicality that has allowed Giroud to settle in faster in the Premier League.

The signing that Arsenal completes may give valuable hints as to what formation fans may see come August. If Benzema is signed over Loïc Rémy, it’s more likely that the scheme used most commonly this last campaign is also the modus operandi for the coming one. Benzema would be deployed as the lone striker up top, able to feast on the delivery of Özil and Cazorla behind him with a slight release in pressure as defenders remain cautious about the speed coming from Walcott on the right.

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Should Benzema make the switch to the Emirates, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Olivier Giroud is first choice, barring injury. His stamina, work rate, and improved goalscoring tally won him a great number of admirers. Sustaining a title race is, after all, about depth, though it should be noted that it wasn’t lack of depth at striker that is credited with causing the missteps this spring. The arrival of the second Real Madrid man in two years would provide a boost to the supporters and players who have already begun calling for reinforcements and upgrades.

It would also ease the work rate on Olivier Giroud and more importantly, provide the type of competition he didn’t have last year when his only rival for playing time was the young (goalless) Yaya Sanogo.

Price Tag

Benzema is currently valued around £30 million, though the price could jump should Real Madrid not land Luis Suarez this summer. If he’s available for something near that price, it’s a good buy for Arsène Wenger, and one he should have no problem pulling the trigger on, given his reluctance to spend the same on a certain midfielder from Barcelona.

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