OFFICIAL NOW ✅: Arsenal announced the signing of Karim Benzema, Player pen 2yr deal with Arsenal last night, Medical completed.
Mikel Arteta recently disclosed that Arsenal might refrain from making any signings this January, aligning with Premier League financial regulations and owner concerns following Everton’s ten-point penalty in November. Despite this, it’s apparent that Arsenal is in need of a prolific goalscorer, as neither Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus have proven to be the solution, potentially impacting their title pursuit.
Amid rumors of unrest in Saudi Arabia, links to Balon d’Or winner Karim Benzema have emerged as a possible solution. However, concerns about the 36-year-old’s wages, age, and style compatibility arise. Despite speculation, Benzema seems to have quashed exit talks, according to French publication L’Equipe.
This development eliminates the risk of Arteta and sporting director Edu making decisions that may displease fans. However, acquiring Benzema might necessitate selling players, with Emile Smith Rowe already expected to leave due to limited game time. Academy graduates like Nketiah and Reiss Nelson may also be on the chopping block, given their potential profit contribution to mitigate Financial Fair Play (FFP) deficits.
While some fans argue that selling Nketiah for a prolific striker like Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, or Ollie Watkins is worth the gamble, Benzema doesn’t align with this strategy. His contract demands and lack of long-term viability conflict with Arteta’s recruitment approach. Even a short-term loan deal could raise questions within tight FFP thresholds.
The potential sacrifices required to bring in Benzema might do more harm than good, making it more likely that Arteta sticks to the initial suggestion of not making any signings this transfer window.