Arsenal Should Value Jese Over Karim Benzema

Arsenal have been linked to half of Real Madrid over the past year, and that can discredit some of the rumors, but don’t let it discredit all of them. These two teams have done business before for Mesut Ozil and there are only a few reasons to think that it can’t be done again. That being said, the business will not be over Karim Benzema.

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Arsenal had been linked to Karim Benzema all summer and despite the rumor re-emerging lately, it is unlikely to ever go through. Benzema has had some off-field drama, something that is treated as one of the seven deadly sins at Arsenal. Plus, he would cost somewhere between a stupid amount of money and a dumb amount of money. That being said, no one has ever doubted the fit. His hold-up play would be a masterful addition.

Which is why Arsenal should strike Benzema off of their wishlist in light of his younger team mate, Jese. The young Spaniard has emerged recently as a transfer target favorite and the traits that link him to Arsenal are incredibly credible.

First of all, he is a man in distress. Arsene Wenger always brings those types to Arsenal. Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez, both were guys that felt they weren’t being used to the best of their potential. While Jese has not verbally said such things, it can only be assumed given that he is in the exact same boat as Isco.

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Then there is the versatility. Jese can play all across the front line and he can play midfield as well. Just like Danny Welbeck. Even if Wenger does not identify a new striker as a need, Arsenal can still sit him behind Alexis Sanchez, which is a need, and let him work his way into a striker role when injuries permit – which will happen.

Thirdly, there is his passing. Jese is an excellent passer and holder of the ball, much like Benzema. He completes 85% of his passes and adds two key passes per game. That is an impressive figure considering that Alexis Sanchez averages 81% and Olivier Giroud 66%. And did I mention the hold up play? Arsenal have become synonymous with hold up play and Jese already has a good grip on it. Albeit, the move to a much more physical league could shake that.

Jese already has an eye for goal too. He has scored ten goals and added eight assists in just eleven career starts and a good portion of substitute appearances. It is no wonder he is already clamoring for first team football.

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That being said, sitting behind the BBC combo at Real Madrid is not the most friendly of circumstances and he would still have to wait several years before any of the three gets anywhere near being too old to start.

But with every rumor, there are hang-ups. First of all, it’s not like Jese would waltz right into the first team at Arsenal. That being said, he is a heck of a lot closer to doing it at Arsenal than he is at Real Madrid. He would be directly behind Alexis Sanchez and he would have a much clearer line towards being a striker than in Spain. Plus, it’s not like Arsenal have that many young options. Chuba Akpom, Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and that’s it. Walcott is an injury problem, Welbeck has a lot to prove and so does Akpom.

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Another name never hurt anything. It would add to the internal competition.

For a price of around £10-15 million, the positives far outweigh that of breaking the bank on Karim Benzema, who is not even available. But maybe I’m crazy. What do you think Gunners? Am I crazy? Do you agree/disagree?