The transfer season is truly a special time. It frustrates, delights and sometimes outright confuses football fans and Arsenal’s 2015 saga involving Karim Benzema went down in summer folklore for the Gunners.
Karim Benzema was persistently linked with a move and Arsene Wenger looked very close at one stage to securing the Frenchman. Benzema however joined a long list of Arsenal ‘nearly men’ alongside the likes of Luis Suarez, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
A famous interview with former QPR midfielder Rodney Marsh sent fans into hysterics when he claimed he had been told Arsenal had a £48 million bid accepted by Real Madrid. A friend of a friend of a friend perhaps?
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"I had a phone call from a mate of mine, and he’s been right on many things, and he said that he believes Real Madrid have accepted a bid somewhere in the region of £48million for Benzema from Arsenal," Marsh told TalkSport via Eurosport. “In the past, this guy has always been right, he’s never been wrong yet, so we’ll have to wait and see."
This followed a claim by former player turned journalist Jan Arge Fjortoft said that Arsenal were ‘at the table’ but that Wenger hadn’t yet gone ‘all in’ on the move. Unfortunately, it seems Wenger never took the plunge.
In the years since, Benzema has taken on the talisman mantle from Cristiano Ronaldo who departed for Juventus. It is fair to say Madrid have barely missed to Portuguese forward as the Frenchman has guided them back to the top and after his hat-trick against Chelsea, perhaps towards another Champions League title.
It was these goals that sparked a reaction from the Arsenal fan base. One of nostalgia, regret and even demand with some supporters wishing on Mikel Arteta to ‘reignite’ the transfer interest in the now 34-year-old.
With 37 goals in 36 games, plus the characteristically unselfish assist tally of 13, it isn’t surprising to see people not yet writing him off. With how Alexandre Lacazette has failed to score from open play in 17 games, this only furthers this understanding behind the Benzema desire.
@arsenalistrator: imagine if Benzema had actually come to Arsenal in the summer of 2015
@IvixDKioi: Why again didn't we sign Benzema? Arsenal
@illinformedArse: I wonder how different things would be for Arsenal now if Wenger had pulled off the Benzema signing from Real Madrid all those years ago.
@Smythy_D: Reignite the Benzema to arsenal rumours
@danjh97: Remember that summer Benzema was on his knees for Arsenal, what could have been
The likelihood of Mikel Arteta following this and moving for the striker is very low though. The Spaniard has made a point of investing in youth and the last player the club signed over 30 was Willian.
This was a deal that could have put Arteta off signing a player in the older age category for good. Yet, there is a benefit to these signings. Experience can provide balance and direction to a team and the youth of the Gunners would benefit.
Benzema’s deal expires in 2023 and with the recent news regarding Kylian Mbappe being more likely to remain with PSG, perhaps Benzema has at least one more season to give to Los Blancos. Meanwhile, Arsenal will continue to shop in the younger end of the striker market.
