Thursday, March 28, 2024

Wenger: Benzema stories just ‘media talk’

Arsene Wenger has once again dismissed stories of Arsenal’s interest in Karim Benzema, saying they’re a construct of the media.

The Gunners have been linked constantly with a move for the Real Madrid striker, and Wenger has, more than once, played it down.

After the Community Shield win over Chelsea, he said, “No, nothing is happening. Honestly no. I don’t know who brings that up. Is it Spanish media or English media? I don’t know.”

And at today’s press conference, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener, he was even more unequivocal.

“I never came out on Benzema,” he said. “It is just media talk. When Sanchez and Welbeck are back we feel we have the needed striking force.”

So, is he keeping his cards close to his chest, or does he not have any cards at all? Is he waiting to play his cards later in the month? Does Arsene Wenger like Top Trumps? These are the big questions.

Meanwhile, former Gunner Thierry Henry reckons signing the French international would be almost the final piece of the Arsenal jigsaw.

“I think if you get Benzema, not only will you challenge for the league, but you also challenge for the Champions League,” he said.

“They need that type of striker who can be different to Olivier Giroud. Him alone as a striker all season, he is very good at what he does but you need to have that type of striker who can stretch a defence, a guy that can go in behind.”

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Avneet

“May be I will surprise you come the end of transfer window” AW with “that” smile!!

brucejuice

He said this for real?
Don’t think Arseblog would miss out on something like this. Yes, Arseblog is my first source to all arsenal related news.

Tight arse

Last year wasnt it?

CLEgooner

2 years ago iirc. Pre-Ozil.

LP

Wenger is a procrastinator, the window will close and there will be no striker.

He is frigging dreaming if he thinks Welbeck and Giroud are going to deliver the title as their striking talent.

tapps

Man City are recruiting for new supporters. You should give it a go.

Derry Cheticoul

I don’t agree with LP but these types of comments are seriously tiresome now and I don’t understand the lack of bannings regarding this attitude.

From Comment policy:
“Do not tell somebody to go and support another club just because you disagree with their point of view. That’s stupid. Don’t be stupid.”

Woolwich Peripatetic

Fair point but LP doesn’t come across as an Arsenal supporter.
One of us would say:
“It would be easier to get the title with Benzema”
or more negatively
“Our strikers need to up their game if we want to win the league”

gar14

And what about making ludicrous ignorant accusations?? Doesn’t that warrant a ban?

alexis' shorts

All Derry did was point out the comment policy. There is nothing that says you can’t speak your mind whether it is for or against Arsenal, just try to be respectful about what you say and how you respond to others.

Also, nowhere does it say you must be an Arsenal supporter to read/comment here. If that was the case, we’d have to all sign up by sending in pictures of us in our Arsenal jammies. I’ll go first. http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01552/bed_1552472a.jpg

winterburn 87

100% agree with you mate, can’t win the league with only both of them, need a superior Striker asap before the window close. .The money is there, spent it..put aside the sentimental feeling

Cas

NO ONE is coming . . . I don’t expect, but I still expect us to challenge for the League. Costa is almost always out injured, but you believe Chelsea are favourites with Falcao and Remy up front. I’ll take Giroud, Theo and Dat Guy over those. United have Rooney, who else? up front. City have Aguero and Bony. Unless you are worried about Liverpool who have a team of strikers (Balotelli, Borini, Sturidge, Firminho, Benteke, Origi. . .) I don’t think strikers alone will decide the title. Have a nice weekend

WengersNoseHair

*Liverpool have a team full of stinkers…

Fixed it for you 😉

Runkeball

Something similar was said by Henry earlier this year and it didn’t go down well with most Arsenal fans. Not even one of the legends and all time top scorer of the club got away with it. I don’t fancy your chances that much.

Brian

Ah come on Arsene and we just buy him for the laugh

Big Dave

Thierry I love you, but sometimes you need to shut up.

Caleb

Why would you shut up when someone paid you 4mil to talk? I wouldn’t shut up my whole life. #stillthekingofarsenal

Big Dave

True. But, maybe common decency? An ex legend and highly regarded supporter saying things such as “But can you win the league with him (Giroud)? I wouldn’t think so” is neither helpful or clever and is just demotivating.

Faxe

Ex legend?

Woolwich Peripatetic

Don’t forget Thierry is both an Arsenal supporter and a France supporter.
So it’s a win-win for him if:
A) Giroud and Benzema play upfront together for club and country
or
B) Giroud goes on a huge purple streak lasting into the Euro2016 to show TH14 how wrong he is.

Thierry Bergkamp

I bet you’re always against Carragher, Thompson and the rest for being pro Liverpool etc etc. You can’t win with some people.

DFS

I am beginning to think Thierry has a chip on his shoulder regarding Olivier Giroud – a little jealousy that Giroud is stealing the present day thunder. Nonetheless its tiresome and disappointing of Henry and I wish he would shut up. It remains to be seen how Giroud will score this season, but if he had not been injured and kept decent form he could have hit around 25 goals last season. henry must be aware of this yet he continues to undermine Giroud. from my perspective i do not even care if Giroud hits 25. If other players such… Read more »

The Only Olivier is Giroud

Wenger: “1000% is a lot!” “No interest in Benzema” “It’s just media talk” “I think we have enough strikers” “Where are these stories coming from? I don’t know” Journalist: “So… what you’re saying is there’s a chance, right?”

ENJ

Sounds like me on the pull….

Swedishgunner

Stretch defences and run in behind defenders, doesnt that sound like a player already within our ranks?*cough*Walcott*cough*

Tony's tuesday club

Yes, in like 5 games before he gets injured again

two bullets in the chamber

What are you talking about? Walcott has only had two major injuries one back in 2008 and one last year. He’s not injury prone, just the last one was an unlucky cruciate rupture that happened right after he came back from a completely unrelated injury. He’s played 325 games for us in 10 years, which is an average of 30 games a season. Walcott’s going to have an awesome season, mark my words. I am so confident about it I’m buying a Walcott shirt this weekend.

Andy Mack

Yes it does, and Welbeck as well.

Crapaud

Arsene is quoted as saying “we dont ‘need’ Benzema when Sanchez & Wellbeck are back”, but the same applied in terms of goalkeepers – we didnt ‘need’ Cech with Schz & Ospina both fit and proven as being capable of maintaining our recent (post Highbury) historic ambitions in the BPL – but when signing Cech became a possibility, Arsene clearly wanted him as he was an upgrade on what we had. Hopefully the same scenario will apply with Benzema – or anyone else who would represent an upgrade on our current strikers. I guessing this will go the transfer window… Read more »

Andy Mack

If he gets a sniff that he’s available them I think he’d try to get him, but he isn’t available at the moment.

GoonerChris

It is slightly different at CF than with our GK situation… – Ollie is our reliable CF – Welbz is believed to have huge potential, only just purchased last year, room for improvement – Theo just signed a 140k/week deal and will be played at CF At GK, we had: – Ospina, a reliable keeper who lacks presence and height but helped calm the backline – Szczesny, an Arsenal graduate of huge potential who lacks maturity – Martinez, an up and coming promising keeper Once Cech came in, Szczesny swiftly went out on loan. Bringing in Benzema seems a great… Read more »

Fatgooner

According to Pravda… sorry, I mean the Daily Star, Wenger IS definitely in for Benzema.

The Star’s chief sports correspondent, Peter Hill-Wood, is usually right.

My guess is that Wenger is haggling over the transfer fee for the Frenchman, and so the transfer will finally go through on the last day of the window.

David Hillier Handled My Luggage

Has old PHW finally admitted it then? That he works direct for the daily star? It’s all starting to make sense now….

be the change...

I think you mean David Woods

Arsepedant

Fats has come up with a gem there, hasn’t he?

Blahblahblah

I can’t wait for gunnerblogs parody of beenie man

?Benzimma,who am I,de gyal dem sugar?

I’m more excited about the singing than the signing

Ger Scully

When you consider the injury records of Theo and Welbeck, we really don’t have what’s needed up front. That said, Arsene didn’t deny interest in Benzema until after Theo had re-signed, so I wonder if talk about him was leverage. I can’t see one of our top earners occupying the bench.

GoonerChris

“…you need to have that type of striker who can stretch a defence, a guy that can go in behind.” Up step Theo Walcott. The decision for “not” signing a CF I feel will be justified if Walcott’s performances from now until the end of the window are good. Early in the season AW will probably use him there ahead of Ollie to see if he has what it takes anyway. If he performs well, we will have 3 good and different styles of CF in our squad. For us to give him 140k per week after endless negotiations, I… Read more »

Exiledgooner

I get the impression that we could sign Benzema, Busquets, Reus and, just for good measure, Messi, and the pundits would still claim we’re ‘one signing away from challenging’. Change the bloody record, lads. With or without Benzema, if (and I know it’s a big if) we can keep the squad fit, I reckon we’ve got a damn good chance of pushing in from the success of the last two seasons.

Gunnanarama

I think we can do it without but only IF Walcott and Welbeck step up and don’t sustain any long term injuries. But is it worth taking the risk again…?

Arsenal

Benzema has a similar style of play to Giroud.
It doesn’t make any sense to sign him, he won’t
add something different to the squad.

Trezy

Benzema has more pace and is two footed. More skillful as well.

Arsenal

But the goals he scores remind me of Giroud’s, he gets in the end of crosses to head or just push the ball into the net. Imagine in a very tight game, Benzema won’t be able to create a goal for himself. I do think Benzema is sligtly better than Giroud though .

Izzymuzzet

Benzema has a an awesome work rate, good technique, great hold up and link up play, pace, 2 footed, and a good finisher.
People read out his goal scoring record but that’s pretty much because Madrid are set up around Ronaldo. Benzema starts central but his job seems to be hold up the ball till Ronaldo arrives or run the channels to make space for Ronaldo.

Ferngunner

I dont disagree they are similar but when it come to those one twos we like alot and finishing, one is nore clinical in the 2 aspects than the other i feel. Benz. Not to mention his speed and good movement inside the box.

Note: I am not slandering Giroud.

Mootilated

I do not understand why journalists would tweet rubbish. Wouldn’t you lose credibility and respect within the sector? Lose all that to get a couple of retweets and have some Metro articles mention your name? So sad.

I am of course, talking about the journalist who this morning said we were finalising a deal with RM and that Benzema would be joining Arsenal today.

Nickgooner

Well if it happens it happens but I’m quite optimistic just with the fact that it does seem there is some genuine interest (even if Arsene chooses to deflect it entirely!). I’ll give you all one fine example fro 2012…. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has quashed suggestions that he could move for Tottenham target Santi Cazorla, claiming that he has never heard of the 27-year-old winger. The Spain international has been linked with a move to north London, with Spurs reportedly leading the race. The Gunners were allegedly interested as well but the Frenchman has denied these reports. “I don’t… Read more »

Wangge

You guys wanna bet?

Tom thumb

Ah top trumps,that brings back memories

Trezy

You said the same thing about Cech Arsene….surprise us again.

Nick

While every team would love a 30+ goal a season striker, is Benzema the answer? I’m not so sure. Last year he scored 22 goals in 46 appearances, which is a proportionately worse return than Giroud’s 19 from 36. What is more, that is in a league with more “weak” teams than the Premier League. I remember watching the World Cup last year and while he scored against Honduras and Switzerland, he was ineffective against Germany. Is Giroud a Henry-level striker; no. Is Bezema; no. If we could find another Henry, let’s sign him, but let’s make sure that they… Read more »

Wang Coq

I actually agree there. I think with the amount of players we have fighting for a place out on the wings I’d like to see Alexis get another run up top.

WengersNoseHair

Another Henry? Really? Henry the greatest striker ever to play in England? Who *is* another Henry? Are you saying after Giroud the next level up is Henry?

I bought a pony and Glen Roeder

Benzema is clearly a very good striker but he has only once scored more than 20 league goals for a Real Madrid side who face teams such as Getafe and Eibar with all due respect to them. I know the market is insane these days but £40-50m for a striker should be for a guaranteed 25+ goals a season. Benzema isn’t prolific he isn’t particularly mobile and would take time to adjust. I wouldn’t be upset at all if we did sign him, I just don’t believe he is at Aguero/Suarez level.

chinaka

Mr wenger wanted Ozil and he got him. He wanted Sanchez and he got him. He wanted cech and he got him.
If Arsene Wenger wants Benzema, he will get him.

Yes but

He wanted Hasard too.

Nofuture

Yeah, you are talking about last milenia, then Wenger had no money.

Mark

Of all the transfer betting lines Benzema to Arsenal moves almost hourly from 8/1 to 5/4 to 13/4 ,etc. . It seems obvious that there is some interest from Arsenal (and why wouldn’t there be in a top forward who is French with a proven track record like Benzema), but Wenger as he does tries to quash any rumors to show confidence in his current players should something not work out. No sane manager would say something like “Yes, we are trying to Benzema because we don’t think our current strikers are good enough”. One thing that everyone can say… Read more »

Gooonnner

Brendan Rodgers would….oh wait you said sane managers

Arseology - Reloaded

Bwenda ‘Pep’ Rodgers – football genius.

Wengers unkempt testicles

I think Wenger might put him in goal if he signs him… A few years ago I was on my annual holiday to Stoke and managed to get a game together in the park with a few of the local lads. Benzema just happened to be passing by, also on one of his holidays, and asked if he could join the game. We said he could, but he had to go in goal because everyone else on our team had already been in. I’ll tell you what – he was very good in goal. Very good indeed. The other team… Read more »

Goonerestgooner

I miss Rambling Pete.

AntiSpud

What baffles me is that we think RM are ready to sell benzema. And clearly that’s not the case. Rafa said it the other day. He is not for sale. Wenger said it and again he is not interested in him. It’s funny how people believe more of what Jamie Sanderson from says than Rafa and Wenger. I’m not saying we don’t need a striker or Wenger is not on the lookout but I’m 1000% certain it won’t be benzema. The clue is in the age, RM willingness to sell and the price bracket. Even after this conference, you will… Read more »

tapps

I accept that at £4million, he’s entitled to talk. However, as he has a free reign over what he says, how about only positive comments about his ‘beloved Arsenal’ and the players.

Izzymuzzet

Like? Flamini is the greatest thing ever and Theo is better than Messi? He’d be a shit pundit if he did that, shit as Carragher.

Kami

Honestly, I don’t want Benzema to join us. I want Arsenal to win the league and show how incredibly good we are on the European scene as well, with the team WE have. I want every single player to deliver this season, and show their true inner potential. If they do so, we will be simply unbeatable, because the team we support is absolutely outstanding. Let’s help make our team stand out, let’s make this season ours. COYG

ciderman

Isn’t Walcott the player Henry should be referring to when it comes to a player who can stretch the defense?

WengersNoseHair

Yes indeed, just as Ian Wright said Walcott could do.

Alexstratz

Too much smoke for Benzema so it’s probably hidding something else.

Arseology - Reloaded

Reus?

goonermonkey

Mind you, I wouldn’t like to come out on Benzema either…

*gets coat*

Man Manny

I don’t think Arsene wants to sign another striker. We have Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck and Alexis who are our main source of goals. Then we have Ramsey (who can easily get double figures), Ox (who has the skill to do same), Ozil, Cazorla and even Kos as supporting acts.
The last time we had a player score 30 goals, we came fourth.
Arsene wants to spread the threat around so that we are not that reliant anymore. This is why I believe that we will very difficult to play against this season.

Arseblood

Wenger only bought Welbeck when Giroud broke his leg at the end of the transfer window last year…he needs to be more proactive this time…..get what we need now and don’t gamble when the margins for this season could just be a couple of points.

pedro

Who are Real going to play up front then? Good luck to us but I doubt it.

Amol

Wenger s master plan.
De Gea agrees for a Madrid move..utd agree on a price.. Money comes from Arsenal

Merlin's Panini

I’m of the opinion our business is done already and have been since we signed Cech. I would be pleasantly surprised if anyone else came in. We all know Arsene likes a last minute purchase so I wouldn’t put it past him but I have a feeling he probably doesn’t want to disrupt the harmony with any more signings.

WengersNoseHair

If anyone’s interested, last season in the league, Champions League and FA Cup/Copa del Rey, Giroud got a goal or assist every 102 minutes, Benzema every 93 minutes. The season before that it was 122 and 101 respectively. Giroud is a bit more than one year older than Benzema. Make of it what you will. Benzema gets a fairly high number of assists for a CF, roughly 3:2, very unusual.

charley

usually because his balls rebound to Ronaldo and co. for a striker his misses can be fustrating.

Arsepedant

Those numbers are fairly close to each other, and Benzema/Madrid had the advantage of playing in a league with four real teams and sixteen fillers that they routinely scored four or more goals against. He’d never match those stats in the PL.

Izzymuzzet

It’s pretty easy to get assists for RM. Ask Ozil and Di Maria. You look up see where Ronaldo is, pass it to him and then count your assists at the end of the year.

When SkiesAreGrey

The big different between last season and this season is that now we have kept the same team who have really gelled, we will get way more goals from other areas of the pitch, with Ozil, the Ox, Rambo I reckon will give us a good return. Plus, with this year (like most of our players…) this year could well be Theo’s year to give us another 20+. Welbz will have something to prove. Even if he and Giroud give us a total of 30 goals between them, we can still get plenty from everywhere else. Not saying that I… Read more »

Ferngunner

If a striker fails to suffice i’ll take thirty eight 1-0 wins to the Arsenal with one mean defence

Gudang Pelor

Agreed! I even take a couple of 0-0s here and there.

heihaci

Benzema would be an upgrade on Olivier Giroud. Anyone who can’t see that knows nothing about football!

Mark

Agree 100% especially for the style Wenger prefers to play, if you combine Giroud with Welbeck and took the best qualities of each it would be Benzema.

bismark

Look at the signings we have had. Only 1. Sometimes AW sucks. We have the money just get a superb striker and all is well. The team is in good shape but not to compete in all competitions. Especially champions league. Just get someone even if it is not Benzema. There is Lacazette, Lewandoski e.t.c. After all where do you want to take the money we have in excess that could get us almost anyone?

rex

the way the team is set up and with the kinda players we have, and not to forget with the cohesion and new steel we’ve now signed up, this team would score goals aplenty….. I dunno how they’d share the spoils (goals) but am pretty sure there’d be enough to win the league….. the goals ollie won’t score would be scored by someone else…. same for other players! our winning the league would be down to our defense which is pretty shored up!

Laurie

The Benzema talk had better not be just media talk. This type of fiddling is what has kept Arsenal waiting for the PL title for ten years. Does Wenger get a kick from always saying “we aren’t buying?”, as if an applause should follow that. Benzema or Lewandowski should join this team if we don’t want to be also-rans in the league and Champions league, yet again.

Laurie

Too many sentimental folks here. Not many are bold enough to share objective and dispassionate views – for fear of thumb downs.

santori

Why do papers say Benzema is for sale? Why would they lie? Oh I dunno, perhaps because just maybe they can get more clicks from people like you.;) The media have rarely been right about wenger’s buys. …they operate on their own red herring logic. MVilla, Melo were proclaim as our targets because they were ‘world class’. Where are they now? Sometimes they just run these articles so they can run a subsequent article saying we missed out on a player because we did not want to spend a paltry sum of our purported 200m in kitty. That’s even when… Read more »

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