In early January, Mikel Arteta stated that Arsenal might refrain from making January signings due to adherence to Premier League spending regulations, prompted by Everton’s ten-point penalty in November. Despite this, Arsenal appears in need of a goal creator, with neither Eddie Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus demonstrating proficiency in the role. Acquiring an attacker could significantly impact their title prospects this season.
Karim Benzema has surfaced as a potential solution, especially amid rumors of his troubles in Saudi Arabia. However, concerns regarding the 36-year-old’s wages, age, and playing style have been raised. Despite reported denials from Benzema about leaving his current club, Arteta and sporting director Edu face challenges in making decisions that won’t upset the fanbase.
Potential departures, including Emile Smith Rowe due to limited playing time, are anticipated, with the sale of academy graduates being a strategy to address Financial Fair Play (FFP) deficits. While Bukayo Saka is considered crucial, the potential sales of Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, both well-liked by fans, may cause discontent.
Some fans suggest selling Nketiah to fund a move for strikers like Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, or Ollie Watkins. However, pursuing Benzema could require significant sacrifices, raising doubts about its viability within Arteta’s player recruitment philosophy, especially considering FFP constraints.
The prospect of acquiring Benzema might necessitate difficult decisions, potentially causing more harm than good. Arteta may ultimately opt not to bring in any new players, aligning with the initial suggestion that Arsenal might remain inactive in the January transfer window.
