Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Let's Not Play Karim Benzema Game Again

Arsenal have for whatever reason entered into the Karim Benzema chatter pool yet again, but can we please not associate with the Frenchman this time around?

Maybe we as supporters have short memories, or maybe we really do feel that desperate, but Arsenal’s link to Karim Benzema this time around feels almost insulting. It feels like base desperation that the club does not need to have.

It wasn’t that long ago, the summer of 2015 actually, that Benzema was heavily linked to Arsenal and all the clues linked up to a move to North London. It never materialized and, in the end, Benzema made it clear that he was too good for any other club.

“I think that Real and Barca are the pinnacle in football”, he said, as quoted by SportsLens. “Why would I leave? I’m a starter for the best club in the world. I am happy, it’s that simple.”

Starting there, I’m not so sure I want that mindset at Arsenal because clearly he wouldn’t see it as a step up, but a step down. Even with his buddy Olivier Giroud (who he also apparently mocked) here, Benzema could easily turn into a problematic situation. Another soldier lacking in motivation.

He has already proven his knack for causing problems with the French National side after the sex-tape scandal with team mate Mathieu Valbuena. However, in Benzema’s absence, Giroud has risen into the top 10 all-time French goal scorers and has his eyes on overtaking the Real Madrid striker barring any changes.

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Benzema has a muddled track record and this “too good for that” attitude wouldn’t lead to hunger or desire, it would more likely lead to entitlement.

Plus, and not to be too much of a hater here, but living life flanked by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in a three horse title race is much different than living life against the best defenders in the world, the highest level of competition, and while flanked by Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott.

Chances are, Benzema would not be the cold-blooded goal scorer that he has come to be at Real Madrid. It is the same concern I have for Antoine Griezmann coming to England. Their skill sets are very particular. They are adept finishers, but they don’t boast overwhelming speed or size. So while they would undoubtedly score their fair share of goals, a continuation of super-stardom might not be a realistic aim.

Not only that, but why sell out on a “better than you” like Benzema when guys like Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who are both hungry to improve with moves this summer, can be acquired for similar price tags?

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Thankfully, that’s what I see getting in the way of any potential, ill-advised move. Benzema does not have the same appeal as these other guys. Griezmann may be available too and his rapport with Arsenal is far better than his international team mates.

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Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Let’s Not Play Karim Benzema Game Again

By Josh Sippie | Apr 7, 2017

Arsenal have for whatever reason entered into the Karim Benzema chatter pool yet again, but can we please not associate with the Frenchman this time around?

More from Pain in the Arsenal