How is this for an unintended consequence? If Gareth Bale does end up at Real Madrid, the Spanish giants will have an even greater excess of attackers, one that could leave Karim Benzema as their odd man out.
And if a prominent French player is available, you know who’s going to be linked: Arsenal.
Though the French international is ostensibly the only number nine in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, the new Merengues boss has been thought willing to go with a false nine up top. That could mean Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent a good deal of time behind the striker this weekend, finding a more permanent home through the middle. That could also mean the to-be-acquired Bale assuming a role not unlike the one he placed near the end of last season for Spurs.
But most importantly for the balance of power in North London, it could mean Benzema’s available. With a $62 million evaluation, his purchase would crush Arsenal’s $23.4 million record, but given Arsène Wenger’s love for a good French talent and Benzema’s potential fit in the Gunners’ 4-2-3-1 system, a lot of stars seems to be aligning around a North London move for the Real Madrid attacker.
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to change the tune of those yelling from the stands, demanding Arsenal finally spend big.
Because he hasn’t truly broken through at Real Madrid, it seems like Benzema just recently arrived from Lyon, but the the 25-year-old just began his fifth season with Los Blancos. On Sunday, he recorded the first goal in their 2-1 win over Real Betis. In 184 all-competition appearances, Benzema’s scored 88 times and registered 49 assists, yet he never truly won the No. 9’s role from Gonzalo Higuaín. Even with Higuaín having moved on to Napoli, Benzema isn’t assured of a job.
Of course, any mention of Higuaín in a story about Arsenal obliges us to mention: The Gunners missed out on the Argentine international earlier this summer. The team’s attention was eventually (and fruitlessly) drawn to Luis Suárez, and Napoli swooped. It’d be a strange twist if Arsenal ended up with Higuaín’s platoon partner (at a price that would have gotten Higuaín) after losing out earlier this summer.
Whether Benzema is worth $62 million (no) or if he’s much of an upgrade on Olivier Giroud (yes) now come into focus, as will the Gunners’ strength relative to Tottenham, should they get their target. Ultimately, this is all about holding on to fourth place.
Then again, given this is Arsenal, we probably shouldn’t take anything for granted. Benzema’s not a Gunner, yet.
