Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Karim Benzema, a player former Gunner Mesut Ozil once compared to the Brazilian Ronaldo.
The Gunners returned to winning ways with a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace today. However, that still doesn’t eliminate our need for a new striker in this window. Benzema’s name has been doing the rounds over the last few days.
Mesut Ozil thinks Arsenal-linked Karim Benzema is like the Brazilian Ronaldo
Arsenal have been linked with plenty of strikers over the last few weeks.
Ivan Toney’s name has constantly been in the news, while Victor Osimhen is also on Arsenal’s transfer wish list.
One name that has come up recently is Karim Benzema, with a report claiming Arsenal and Chelsea are weighing up a move to sign him on loan this month.
The Frenchman is said to be open to a move away from Saudi Arabia, just six months after joining them from Real Madrid last summer. He has scored 12 goals for Al-Ittihad so far.
We don’t think Arsenal will sign Benzema this month, but if the Gunners need anyone to convince them to make a move for the Frenchman, Mesut Ozil is perhaps the man.
In a video on Arsenal’s YouTube channel back in 2020, Ozil picked Benzema over the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robert Lewandowski and even Lionel Messi. He also then compared him to Brazil icon Ronaldo.
He said about the Ballon d’Or winner: “I know him as a person, he’s a really, really good person. I really enjoyed the time to play with him together.
“I know he’s one of the best strikers. He’s like, let’s say, the Brazilian Ronaldo. He’s so good with the ball, in front of the goal.”
What Benzema would bring to Arsenal
We’re as convinced as we can be that Arsenal will not sign Karim Benzema, but for argument’s sake, what would he bring to the Emirates if we did get him?
Well, the Frenchman has been one of the best strikers in the world over the last decade. He directly contributed to 519 goals in 648 appearances for Real Madrid, which is an outrageous return.
Apart from goals and assists, Benzema would bring in experience, leadership and a winning mentality to Arsenal. He has won 33 senior trophies in his career, which is more than every one of our players combined.
On paper, all of the above look exactly like the traits Arsenal need right now, but we just can’t see Edu and Mikel Arteta even considering a move to sign Benzema this month.
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