For the past five years, now thirty-year-old Karim Benzema has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu. In all that time, one club has been constantly linked with the French international: Arsenal.
When legal problems threatened to end his stay with Real Madrid, Arsène Wenger wasn’t perturbed. Without hesitation, he nailed his colours to Benzema’s mast and left no-one in any doubt that if Los Merengues decided to sell, Arsenal were buying.
It’s not hard to see why. Since joining from Lyon in 2009 – rejecting a move to the Emirates in the process – Benzema has netted 182 goals in 373 appearances. How he didn’t increase that total to 183 on Tuesday night, only the boot of Hugo Lloris knows.
Despite that record and a new deal, talk of a move to north London to Arsenal refuses to fade. Even though the Gunners signed Alexandre Lacazette, 26, last summer, the speculation over a possible move for Benzema to the Emirates refuses to die down.
His agent moved to quell the speculation, according to the Daily Mail. “Karim Benzema is very happy at Real Madrid,” declared Karim Djaziri. “He signed a contract extension last month and has absolutely no intention of leaving the club.”
Arsenal’s interest serves as a reminder to his detractors; Benzema is a player highly-rated striker even in the twilight of his career.
