Former Arsenal FC defender and legend Martin Keown predicts Arsenal FC and Manchester United to battle it out for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Keown was part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad that went an entire Premier League season unbeaten in 2003/04. The Englishman won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his 11 years spell with the Gunners. Keown has urged Wenger to splash the cash on French striker Benzema, to reduce the goal-scoring burden on Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.
. “Why not go for Karim Benzema to play down the middle?” – Keown
Alexis Sanchez topped the goal-scoring charts for the Gunners with 16 league goals, followed by Giroud with 14. However, the Gunners have lacked a 30-goals-a-season striker since the departure of Robin van Persie and Keown feels that Benzema would help fill in this void.
a Ia d like to see a striker signed,a Keown said, speaking in an interview with TalkSport.
a I think there is no doubt about it, Ia ve been in that dressing room when a top player comes in, it sends a ripple through the dressing room you feel almost invincible and on the outside the opposition look at how good you were before and think how much better you will be now.
a If youa re not the champions and your striker, Olivier Giroud, didna t start the FA Cup final last season, there are question marks over that position and maybe they need to be addressed.
a Danny Welbeck is injured. Theo Walcott has just signed a new contract so there are lots of options. Ia d just like to see a more mobile and frightening front player to come into that Arsenal group.
The 49-year-old believes that Manchester United will battle Arsenal FC for the signature of the highly coveted Frenchman. Manchester United have been linked with a host of strikers during the window, with Benzema believed to be one of them.
a Why not go for Karim Benzema to play down the middle. I think Manchester United are just as keen to get a striker in as Arsenal so perhaps those two will be bidding against each other to bring someone in at the last minute.a
Benzema could move to the Emirates later in the window
Arsene Wenger has insisted that he’s happy with the squad at his disposal and would delve into the transfer market only if an exceptional player who could immediately lift the team was available. Karim Benzema has been linked with a move to North London throughout the summer, however, it is believed that Real Madrid would not be willing to sell the striker unless they are able to sign a superstar replacement.
Wenger is expected to wait for Benzema, who is reportedly his top target this summer and is privy to the ways that Real Madrid operate in the transfer window having previously signed Mesut Ozil under similar circumstances. Wenger enjoys a healthy relationship with Real Madrid and would look to use it to lure the striker to the Emirates.