Arsenal Transfer Crisis: Is it too late for Karim Benzema?

Arsenal have reportedly had a £36 million bid rejected by Real Madrid for French Striker Karim Benzema, a player we have been linked with every season.

The runaway:

Arsenal have reportedly had a £36 million bid rejected by Real Madrid for Karim Benzema, a player that we have been linked with since his Lyon days.

Under Arsene Wenger, the Gunners have always been synonymous with prolific, French strikers. More recently, Arsenal have been synonymous with players seeking greener pastures than the Emirates has to offer.

Our current star, Alexis Sanchez, has been in poor form since his transfer to Manchester City fell through, and hasn’t reached the dazzling heights we saw from him last season, most likely leading to a move.

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The replacement:

One suggestion to fill these big boots is Karim Benzema. Benzema would be a great replacement for Alexis Sanchez, either playing as a striker or centre-forward behind Alexandre Lacazette. His link-up play is some of the best in the world, dragging defenders away before placing a killer pass to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tactically, this would mean that Arsene Wenger means to play with two strikers up front, in either a 3-5-2 to fit Ozil, or a 4-4-2 for more defensive stability. I just cannot see Benzema playing in Alexis’ current position as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1.

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Being thirty, however, and in decline physically, is it better to invest in younger prospects such as Wilfried Zaha or Riyad Mahrez, or even Nabil Fekir?

Fekir is the more lucrative option because he could be deployed as a winger as well as a centre-forward. His physical attributes, such as his pace, means that he would be easily converted into a winger in the 4-2-3-1.

In the 3-5-2 formation, he could play off of Alexandre Lacazette. The pair have developed an effective partnership in the Lyon days, and this could transfer into one of, if not the most, deadly attacks in the Premier League. We only need to see Lacazette’s goal scoring achievements in Ligue 1 last season as proof.

However, no Champion’s league football sways the decision towards a more experienced player, such as Benzema.

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We have already lost the title. However, the Gunners have to be careful with who they sign next to ensure a place in the top 4. Unfortunately, the contract fiasco at Arsenal ensures that any replacement for Sanchez is damage control.