Arsenal FC midfielder Santi Cazorla has admitted that every club would like to have a striker like Karim Benzema in their ranks, however, the diminutive Spaniard feels that Arsene Wenger has already made his team and probably will not be looking to sign another striker.
The Gunners beat Chelsea FC in the Community Shield to lift the trophy for a second successive year courtesy of an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain super strike. However, the club have been linked with a number of strikers over the summer, as it is believed that Arsene Wenger is looking to sign a striker to ease the goal-scoring burden on Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. Wenger’s admiration of the Frenchman is well documented, however, the 65-year-old has publicly denied any interest in the 27-year-old striker.
Benzema is a great player – Santi Cazorla
Widespread reports had suggested that the Gunners have had a bid turned down for the striker by Real Madrid. Benzema further fueled speculation on a potential exit when he posted a picture of himself in a private jet with a cryptic message as it’s caption on his Instagram account, which read: Leave the past to the past. #directionfuture.
The 30-year-old midfielder has insisted that he’s unaware if the club are interested in the striker or not. Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio channel Cadena Cope, Cazorla was quoted by Independent as saying:
“I’m not very aware on whether there is any interest or not.
“The manager knows it better than anyone. Benzema is a great player. Every side would like to have him but I think the manager already has his team made and probably he is not looking for another striker.
“Benzema fits into any team. The good players fit well in every side. He has quality and would adapt great.”
Do Arsenal FC need a new striker? .
There have been calls from the majority of Arsenal FC fans to sign a striker, as the club do not currently have the 30-goal-a-season striker that many believe to be essential for a club challenging for the title. Olivier Giroud is excellent with his hold-up play and his ability to bring other’s into play, however, question marks remain over the finishing ability of the Frenchman.
The Gunners last won the title in the 2003-04 season, when they went the entire season without losing a single match, however, the club have failed to win it in 11 attempts since. The Gunners have been in impressive form since the turn of the year and have had an excellent pre-season. There were signs of progress in Wenger’s first ever win over, nemesis, Jose Mourinho in the Community Shield, but if they are to challenge for the title this year, a world class striker would be essential.