Arsenal may strengthen in January with swoop for Benzema

Having missed out on then-Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain in the summer, the Gunners could be back in Madrid for another of their strikers.

Arsenal’s intention to add to their forwards was clear from their transfer strategy this summer. Although Olivier Giroud has had a strong start this season, Wenger remains keen to add another forward to his squad.

Wenger will be all too aware of his side’s title challenge faltered after an injury to Eduardo in the 2007/08 season and he will be keen to ensure he has alternatives up front to uphold the challenge this time round.

Despite his vast amount of experience, Karim Benzema is just 25 and also comes with a ringing endorsement from Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil. The German international played alongside Benzema for four seasons and developed a strong relationship with the forward.

Ozil has had an energising effect on the Arsenal squad and Wenger will be hoping another big-name signing in Benzema can do the same.

Although Benzema, who is in his fifth season at Real, has performed well for the Spanish giants with a total of 95 goals, he has never really managed to convince his managers or fans of his importance.

The striker lacks the star name that fellow forwards Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both carry and there is a sense that Real are keen to strengthen in this department with the likes of Luis Suarez, Radamel Falcao and Robert Lewandowski all on their radar.

If it becomes apparent that Madrid are keen to sell then other clubs could also swoop for the Frenchman in January.

Liverpool themselves could be in for another forward if they do lose Suarez while Chelsea do not seem to have solved their striking problems either. Mourinho worked with Benzema for three seasons in which he consistently scored over 30 goals a season and could provide an alternative destination for the forward.

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