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Karim Benzema is Arsenal’s Last Hope at Striker
By Josh Sippie
It was a painful process trying to cope with Arsene Wenger not signing a defensive midfielder for years upon years. It is starting to become a similar process at striker. Olivier Giroud is one very good striker. The only word in the previous sentence that was of importance was ‘one’.
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Arsenal have one striker. That is it. Say what you want about Walcott, Welbeck, Akpom and Alexis, they all, one way or another, do not fit the bill as a center forward. Walcott is the closest but he is yet unproven and he is incredibly injury-prone.
As such, Arsene Wenger needs to finally break down a purchase a striker. However, his prospects are dwindling this summer.
The three names that have remained thus far into the window are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Karim Benzema and Alexandre Lacazette. Only one name appears even remotely available after the latest developments, however.
Pierre-Emericak Aubameyang was the least appealing of the three. He is not too different from Theo Walcott. We do not need duplicates. Plus, for 30+ million pounds, the practicality of the potential move was lacking.
Borussia Dortmund have spoken out and dismantled any chance of Aubameyang moving. Reports indicate that Arsenal launched a 28.7 million pound bid but were rejected. Dortmund told SkySports: “I’ve heard a lot about this (a transfer to Arsenal) but I can say very clearly that it is blocked for him. He is simply not for sale.”
Arsenal are expected to counter with a 30 million pound bid, but not for sale is not for sale, and the Gabonese striker still has three years left on his contract.
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Then there is Alexandre Laczette. The Lyon striker scored more than anyone else in all of France last year and there has been plenty of talk about him moving and a gross lack of denial regarding any potential moves. That is, up until recently.
“I can show everyone that my mind is not in another place. I have already told the head coach and the president that I want to stay in Lyon. I am fully committed to our project for this season. Whatever happens outside stays outside. Personally, I know what I want for this season,” he said via ESPN FC.
Seems rather strange that after so many weeks of dancing around questions, Lacazette has finally declared his loyalty, but better late than never for Lyon’s case.
That leaves Karim Benzema, the number one name on my Arsenal wish list.
Karim Benzema would be perfect for Arsenal in every single way. He has no drawbacks. Let’s consider, in convenient list format, what he would bring to Arsenal:
- Pre-established partnership with Giroud
- Exquisite striker
- Competition for Giroud
- Fantastic link-up play
- Excellent hold-up play
- Superb passing abilities
- Pristine finishing
Next to my compendium of adjectives, the only thing more impressive is the prospect of Karim Benzema suiting up for Arsenal.
There has been news on the Benzema front as well, as Arsenal have reportedly had a 31 million pound bid rejected by Real Madrid.
Tancredi Palmeri, a beIN sports correspondent, tweeted: “It’s all true the Arsenal bid for Benzema: 45m€. Real Madrid was initially open to talk, but now they have stopped everything.”
Being a natural skeptic, I still would want more proof, but that is some pretty solid evidence right there that Arsenal is in pursuit of Karim Benzema. Arsenal usually get what they want (except Gonzalo Higuain way back when, but did they really want him?), but Benzema’s price was supposed to be about 35 million pounds.
Lets hope that this was just a warm-up bid and that Wenger really is serious about landing the elite French hit man.
Next: Olivier Giroud needs another Striker