Rio Ferdinand suggests Arsenal must make crazy loan transfer for 2013 target – Ozil thinks he’s like Ronaldo

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Arsenal’s transfer plans have been a topic of conversation amid Mikel Arteta’s struggles to score from open play.

The Gunners have fired 49 shots on goal in their previous two fixtures, amounting to one goal in 210 minutes of action.

Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United drew unwanted attention to Arteta’s attack, with several players performing below par in the final third.

Arsenal fans have urged Arteta to sign a forward before the January transfer window closes, putting pressure on the Gunners to deliver before the month ends.

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Rio Ferdinand makes bold Arsenal striker transfer suggestion

As the January transfer window ticks on, all eyes are on Arsenal to make a move to make a signing to bolster the front line.

While Arsenal have been linked to several forwards, the Gunners are no closer to recruiting the number nine that fans are dreaming of.

Arteta cannot escape talk surrounding his attack and the same was evident when Tottenham visited the Emirates for the North London Derby.

In the build up to the game, pundits Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand discussed who Arsenal should target in the January transfer window. 

“I’d go Osmihen, his form is not what it was but I think he can get there again,” McCoist said on TNT Sports’ coverage of the game. 

Ferdinand had an opposing idea, suggesting that Arteta should revisit an Arsenal target of 2013.

“I’d go Benzema, six month loan,” Ferdinand said, prompting the North Londoners to approach Karim Benzema.

Interestingly, Arsenal were linked to Benzema only last year, being long-time admirers of the Frenchman, who currently plays for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Karim Benzema to Arsenal would get Mesut Ozil’s approval

On paper, signing a five-time Champions League winner and winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or sounds like a very good idea however, the chances of Arteta signing a 37-year-old are slim.

That being said, Benzema hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down, having already scored 10 goals in only 11 Saudi Pro League appearances this term. 

The former Real Madrid talisman, who scored 354 goals for Los Blancos, would have the seal of approval from most at the Emirates, including some that have previously sported the cannon.

In 2020, Mesut Ozil waxed lyrical about his former teammate, likening Benzema to the Brazilian Ronaldo, R9.

“I know he’s one of the best strikers,” Ozil told Arsenal’s Youtube channel,  “He’s like, let’s say, the Brazilian Ronaldo. He’s so good with the ball, in front of the goal.”

Ferdinand’s suggestion might have been a rogue one in 2025 however, the Englishman might have equally presented a rather valid option to bolster Arsenal in the goal department.